Erecting Altars On The Heart
Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him.
Reflection
As I reflect on my life, I associate certain places and things with significant occasions and experiences in my past. The Coquitlam River in British Columbia, Canada, the Orange Groves of Irvine, California and Kennesaw Mountain in Georgia all represent important moments in my childhood and teenage years. They serve as monuments that I have constructed in my memory to memorialize the experiences that have shaped who I am today.
Application
There are many occasions in The Old Testament where individuals constructed altars. Abram, Patriarch of our faith, erects altars to the Lord on four separate occasions.
After the Lord appeared to him when he first arrived in Canaan. (Gen 12:7)
In the hill country on the east of Bethel. (Gen 12:8)
After peacefully separating from his nephew Lot. (Gen 13:18)
As he faithfully obeyed God’s command to sacrifice Isaac. (Gen 22:9-14)
Abram erected each altar under different circumstances—the first was after a personal encounter with the Lord. The second was an act of petition or prayer as he settled into a new land, while the third celebrated the peaceful resolution of a conflict between Abram’s herdsmen and those of his nephew Lot. The final altar began as an altar of sacrifice and ended as an altar of provision. Though each of Abram’s altars were constructed under different circumstances, they all had one thing in common: they were built to honour God.
Just as our memories can serve as monuments in our minds to commemorate significant moments in our lives, we must also commit to erecting altars in our minds and hearts for significant moments we have with our Lord and Saviour. Write them down and reflect on them often. Regardless of the circumstances, they remind us of who God is and His amazing work every day in our lives.
Explore the Word
Genesis 12:1-9
Genesis 13
Genesis 12:1-14
Prayer
Lord, as I look back on my life, I see that you have always been there for me. Thank you, Lord, for your goodness and your faithfulness. The altars I construct in my mind and on my heart remind me, Lord, that you are sovereign and worthy of all the honour, glory, and praise. Amen.
Yours in Christ,
Brad
