Building Altars!

Genesis 13:18 Then Abram moved his tent and came and dwelt by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and there he built an altar to the Lord.

In many church settings the worship service is conducted from an altar. The altar is considered a holy place, set aside for specific purposes and precautions are taken so that the altar will not be defiled. Altars are places of sacrifice, thanks, petition, worship, and acknowledgement.

When God brings Abram into the land He had promised him, the first thing Abram does is to build and altar and sacrifice to the Lord. This verse should cause us to stop and reflect upon what we do in response to God's blessing in our lives. Do we go out and celebrate by buying something new for ourselves? Do we just step back and admire our blessings? Do we pass the blessing along to others? Or do we build an altar? Not out of wood and stone but in our hearts.

Do we live in an awareness of the goodness of God in our lives? Do we take time to reflect, give thanks, worship and acknowledge the One from whom all blessings flow? As parents nothing delights us more than when our children are appreciative. Our hearts are warmed when our children unexpectantly acknowledge our love and care for them.

The scriptures tell us that our God is a jealous God. Jealous in the sense that He desires our love first. He knows that loving Him is the very best thing we can do with our lives. Maybe it's time for all of us to build some altars. In the midst of everything that must be done, take time to give thanks and acknowledge the One who loves you beyond all comprehension.

Give thanks with a grateful heart!