Come to the altar

Come to the altar

"The LORD appeared to Abram and said, "To your offspring I will give this land."  So he built an altar to the LORD, who had appeared to him.  From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east.  There he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD."  Genesis 12:7-8

When you think of an altar, what do you think of?  Most likely, the church altar would come to mind.  A raised platform where the pastor and/or choir stands to deliver sermons and sing hymns.   But, the altar, throughout history,  served many more purposes.

The first altar recorded in the Hebrew bible is that erected by Noah (Genesis 8:20).  Altars were erected by Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as well.  At the time Abram (soon to become Abraham) built an altar to the LORD, altars were being used in many other religions for worship and sacrifice to pagan gods.  But for Abram and other believers, the altar was more than a place for sacrifice.

The altar symbolized communion with God and marked notable encounters with Him.   Normally built of stones and dirt, they often remained in place for years as constant reminders of God's protection and promises.  Imagine building an altar and worshiping God each time He answered a prayer, or provided protection for your family.  In a world where God is often overlooked, not to mention underthanked (yes, I made up that word), what kind of witness would that be to the world?

Abram built the altars to God for two reasons:  (1) for prayer and worship, and (2) as reminders of God's promise to bless him.  He loved God so much he yearned to renew his love and loyalty to Him.  It served to remind Abram, and all those around, that God was the center of his life.

Did you get that?  The altar was not only for sacrifice, it was for prayer and worship.  God gave us the altar as a "meeting place" with Him.  A place to lay it all down at His feet.  A place of healing and new beginnings.

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us a place to "lay it all down."  Thank you for your blessings.   Be with us today, meeting us at the altar.  In your name Jesus, Amen.   

Here's one for your playlist.  Happy running!!!!