"I went into the Sanctuary of God"
When Asaph went into the Sanctuary of God his whole outlook was changed, he was the subject of a moral revolution. Before he went in he was restless, his whole soul was in rebellion against the state of things, and consequently against God who is behind all. He was discontented and at a loss to understand the will of God.
He was no infidel, he was a man whose God was the Lord, and he had a deep sense in his born again soul of what was right, but he was much perplexed. He was a type of many in these days; they cannot understand why the good things of life should be poured into the lap of the wicked and why trouble should dog the steps of the honest and good. Unrighteousness rides triumphantly in a gilded coach, or perhaps a luxurious car, while goodness goes afoot on the dusty highway. Why?
One hour in the Sanctuary of God changed everything for Asaph. Is there anything in the New Testament which answers to the Sanctuary in which Asaph found the key to all his difficult problems? Yes, there is! We have a Sanctuary in the New Testament and the Minister of it. Hebrews 10 tells us we have boldness to enter into the Holiest - that is, into the very presence of God - and it tells us of Jesus who is there, our great High Priest, who delights to lead us in, and maintain us in the place of light and blessing.
It is wonderful how things change as we sit in the presence of God. It is more wonderful how we ourselves are changed. If any of us have not experienced this we should lose no time in testing it. 2 Corinthians 3 speaks of beholding the glory of the Lord and being changed into the same image. It is this which takes place when we sit in the presence of the Lord; the world’s tinsel glitters just as brightly, but it loses its attraction for us. The wicked still prosper but we envy them not, the little storms that have shaken us are calmed, our souls are rested and filled with peace. In the presence of God he saw how transient were all earthly things, and he saw, also, the end of them - the end of a thing is the great test of it. The Christian, who rejoices in the hope of glory of God, and who knows he is an heir of God, and a joint-heir with Christ Jesus, will not covet the worldly goods of a man who is without Christ, without God, and without hope in the world. But it is in the presence of God that things become real, and Asaph saw things in a different light, his faith had been shaken and his foot had well nigh slipped, yet God had held him up in His right hand, and he learned too, that God would guide him with His counsel, in and through the maze of life, and afterwards receive him into glory. What more could he desire than that? To be the object of God’s special care not by bit and bridle, but to be intelligently led and instructed in the knowledge of God, a heart free from distress and distrust. Then to hear him break forth "whom have I in heaven but Thee..." God becomes his everlasting portion. Shall we be behind Asaph in our knowledge of God? - Greater light shines for us than shone for him; "Let us draw near with a true heart… full assurance of faith." It is in His presence "the Sanctuary" we see everything clearly, moreover, we know that light shines in the face of Jesus, the sinners Friend and Savior - He cares for us and will bring every trail to a right issue.
Was not Hannah changed (1 Sa. 1) when having knelt in the Sanctuary and poured out her grief before God, she arose and went her way, and her countenance was no more sad? Was not Thomas changed when in the presence of his Lord, having seen the wounds in His hands and side, his doubts were gone, and he confessed "My Lord and God?" Was not Mary changed when she bent in adoration at the feet of Jesus, and arose to carry about in her person the fragrance of the spikenard that she had poured upon Him, unmoved by the criticism of her brethren? Was not Paul changed, when having sought three times the presence of the Lord about the thorn in the flesh, the Lord answered him with the words "My grace is sufficient for thee…most gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities!"
Yes, we shall all be changed as we behold the glory of the Lord, the burdening and buffetings of life may remain, and circumstances unchanged, but we shall be changed, and become rich in faith, the workmanship of our great God. No longer shall we murmur at the inequalities of life, but refreshed in the Sanctuary, we shall joy in our God, through our Lord Jesus Christ.
