"O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your dwelling.

 

Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my exceeding joy; yes, with the lyre will I praise You, O God, my God!"  (Ps. 43:3-4)

 

 

Have you ever had one of those distinct God-encounters that deserves to be marked by some sort of an altar or monument?  Some altars in the Word were built in accordance to God's specific instructions and plans.  Others, however, were voluntary altars of worship.  These were built by hearts who had heard God's voice and experienced His provision, protection, and faithfulness.

 

Jacob set up many pillars over the years.  For example, when he saw the ladder between earth and heaven and heard God speak again the promises given to his father, Abraham; when he returned safely to Succoth with his wives and family after meeting with Esau, his brother; when God spoke to him and gave him a new name, Israel; and when Rachel died.

 

After nearly 100 years of building an ark in the face of ridicule, and another year floating on the waters, I can only imagine all of the emotions that flooded out of Noah and his family as they knelt again on dry ground.  Noah immediately built an altar to honor the One Who had been faithful to keep them. 

 

Recently I was so overcome with the love of my Father and His attention to the tiniest details in showing it to me; I knelt by the path and built a small monument of love in return.  A week later I passed the same place and thought again of His love and gentleness.  I started to go and kneel again to worship when the Spirit spoke.  He said that since the moment I had built the altar, the altar itself had been worshiping for the very thing for which it had been built.  All of creation praises and worships the Creator already.  But when we pile up rocks or other objects as an altar of worship, those rocks come into agreement on that point and the worship never ceases, day or night, to the One Whom we adore.

 

What an amazing thought!  How great is the power of unity and agreement!  May we as the Body of Christ be what He so desires:  an altar of living stones in unity and worship to the Son.

 

 

Amy