Editorial - A Little Sanctuary

One of the many times God showed His love for His people came from the pen of the prophet Ezekiel. The Lord had been exposing the false shepherds of Israel "who feed themselves" , He said, whereas they should "feed the flocks" “because there was no shepherd, nor did my shepherds search for my flock” “therefore, O shepherds, hear the word of the LORD!”

"Thus says the LORD God, 'Indeed, I myself will search for my sheep and seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so I will seek out my sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day'" (34:2,8,11,12).

It was not too much trouble for the Lord God to Himself set about rescuing His sheep that had been scattered to the four winds over a long period. He says Himself that "although I have cast them far off among the Gentiles, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet I will be a little sanctuary for them where they have gone." (11:16)

And that's the whole point of the matter – God, no matter where His people have been scattered has always been present among them, and as a sanctuary at that. He is always there to be found, even as Moses predicted about this same future scattering: "But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul" (Deuteronomy 4:29).

God is to be found through His Word, either written or spoken, but He is available only to those who truly seek Him. It is a marvellous thing that the Eternal One, Almighty God, has made Himself known to mankind, and He did this when He took on human form. The New Testament tells us that "the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14).

The Scriptures make it clear that the Messiah "made himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross" (Letter to the Philippians 2:7-8).

That is why He is able to be a sanctuary for all who need Him. That is why this is good news, especially for His people whom He has scattered, but whom He is presently searching for and seeking out, even according to His Word.