Altars

A pithy statement is embedded in Abraham’s story in Genesis, “... from there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent ... there he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord.” (Genesis 12:7) Unlike most people, Abraham pitched his tent and built an altar, a powerful statement of how Abraham chose to live. Abraham was an affluent man, which makes his story more pungent. He deliberately threw off the privileges, cares and conveniences of wealth to pursue the Almighty.

Men naturally build their tents and pitch their altars. We receive endless offers for home improvements from the culture merchants than we ever receive for developing the inner man. Is it fair to ask, “Do I spend as much time in the pursuit of God as I spend mowing, painting, polishing, storing, and decorating my tent? When I open my check book, or family financial spreadsheet, does the ledger reflect my conviction that knowing and pleasing God is the most important part of my life, or life itself?”

Altars are place where we, finite and frail, meet with Eternal God face-to-face; heart-to-heart; mind-to-mind; spirit-to-Spirit and will-to-will. Jesus’ blood-bathed intercession in Gethsemane captures the rigorous process of an altar. Jesus wrestled will-to-will with the Father when he prayed, Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done. The stress of that encounter required help be sent to Jesus. The following words record, An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.

The Holy Spirit spoke through the pen of the Apostle Paul in Romans 8 about how He, the Spirit, ministers to us bringing us to agreement with Him. An altar is the place where

• we establish life priorities as we converse face-to-face.
• men learn how to prepare for daily decision making by sensing the ways of God.
• our hearts to be molded into the compassionate centers of our being, which allows unselfish actions to flow.
• minds are transformed. (Romans 12:1-2)

In short, those who build altars and pitch tents become world changers. Just think, because of Abraham’s choices, we are his spiritual offspring and children of the Eternal God.

The ways of God do not come naturally, but through deliberate discipline and practical repetitions. Altars must be built one experience with God at a time, tents can be pitched on our terms anywhere!

Have a great day! When I work, I work. When I pray, God works!