Altars

Have you ever read the Bible and noticed how often they set up altars to God?  Whenever God did something great (which is everyday, right?) the people or person stopped the routine of their life and erected an altar or monument to God.  Why did they do this?  So, that when they and others would pass it they would be reminded of the character of God and what He did on the day that the altar was built.

We think that our society today has done us a disservice by doing away with monuments and altars to God.  We will recognize the accomplishments of men with statues built in their likeness (sounds a little like idolatry).  We will laud the works of people by dedicating buildings with their names etched into them.  Even in our churches when we have building fund drives we allow people to have their names on a stone or brick that will be used to build a temple to the God that possesses the Name above all names.  It seems rather suspect to us.

We will do all these things to recognize the works of men but quickly forget the works and character of the Most High.  We forget because we don't have an altar erected for His worship so that all can see.  Personally, we have had discussions about how we can remember the goodness of God.  Someday, when God allows us to be permanently planted, we will be purchasing or finding great and large stones to place in and around our home to remind us of the important and pivotal moments of when God worked miraculously in our life.  That is just our personal perspective and something that the Lord has impressed upon us.  However, all of us have the ability to change this so that we do not forget.  If we were to change our point of view we would be able to (at least in our own lives) redeem the everyday items we take for granted and make them a holy altar.

If we were to view our wedding rings as an altar or monument of the day God miraculously united us to our spouses, we would not be so quick to take them off and forget.  We would be reminded every time that we saw them of a God that brought the person into our life that we needed to make us complete for the fullness of His work.  We would not look at our ring and think of the "old ball and chain" or our overbearing husband.  We would remember the forethought of a loving God that knew who we needed to be joined to even before we knew.

If we were to view our wedding pictures as an altar to God, we would not be so quick to take them down or remove them when we hit a rough patch.  We would be reminded of the joy that we experienced as a loving God brought two of His most precious children together in a holy and honoring union.  We would be reminded of the sparkle in our eyes and the spring in our step on the day that God perfected our union between us, our spouse, and Him.  We would see the joy and love in that picture that was only dimmed by the love that God has for us.

We need to have altars and monuments in our lives.  When we don't have them we will always focus on the immediate problem right in front of us.  Without altars dotting the landscape all around us we only see the temporary problems and desperate needs.  Without altars we will have nothing there to remind us of the faithfulness and goodness of God.  But with altars, we are reminded of the mercy and grace of our Father as we go about the routine things of our day.  We cannot easily forget the miracles of God when we place something before our eyes with the express purpose of reminding us.  When altars are present it is more difficult to run away from the truth of who God is.  Why?  Because you were there when the altar was erected.  You were there when there was need for an altar because God had just shown up.

We need the tangible and physical things to intermingle with the spiritual and supernatural.  This is why Gideon asked for the wet fleece and why Abraham asked for a token of the covenant.  God doesn't mind when we ask Him for those things.  They may not always be something really cool like a huge pile of rocks.  The altar may not even be something extravagant to anyone else but you.  It might be something as simple as a thumbtack stuck in a wall but it will mean the world to you because YOU know why you put it there.  And every time that you see that tack you will be reminded that God is faithful to you!!

Take note of the times that God moves on your behalf.  Remind yourself.  Tell others.  Build something as a monument to the miraculous power of God.  Do something to remind yourself of His goodness.  There may be a time when you are only able to focus on the temporary situation and you will need that altar to declare to you the character of God.

Josh and Serena