The Altar
Psalms 43:4
10/17/06
Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my exceeding joy. I will praise you on the harp, God, my God.
The word altar is mentioned 322 times in the bible.
When the “Judgment Seat of Christ” is set, the rewards will not cover the “world’s best singers” or the “world’s best preachers” but the “prayers of the saints”. Look at the ruptured saints in Revelation Chapter Five. There is no mention of pulpit skills and great voices of music, but “the prayers of the saints.” The Lord said, “And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints.” (Revelation 5:8)
The enemy will try every demonic trick to stop your prayer life. You may feel that you are unnoticed and nothing is happening. It takes more spiritual backbone to wait on God in prayer than any business of the Kingdom. His promise is true! But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)
Let’s look at two men of God who made altars:
1. Noah Built the first altar to God - Gen 8:20-21= Then Noah built an altar to the LORD, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar. The LORD smelled the soothing aroma; and the LORD said to Himself, "I will never again curse the ground on account of man, for the intent of man’s heart is evil from his youth; and I will never again destroy every living thing, as I have done. * Soothing aroma - It’s interesting that the author used the word soothing which means to Bringing comfort. Our prayers offer comfort to god! This is a gift that we can give to him! There is an old saying what do you give a person who has it all? Give the gift of prayer! Aroma defined is a distinctive, usually pleasant, smell that a substance has or gives off. A good aroma means something good is on its way! God takes delight in our prayers. In heaven, there will be a record of how many prayers we offered. Keep praying! Your prayers to make a difference! Eph 5:2 = and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. This is why we need to always pray in the name of Jesus only! * The altar is a place of covenant. It’s where I connect with God. When people say that they feel God has left them, what usually is the case is that we have walked away from the altar! Heb 13:3 = Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Being a child of God has its privileges – Let’s use them! In Heb 4:16 = Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
2. Jacob Built an altar of remembrance to God – Gen 35:3 = and let us arise and go up to Bethel, and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone,." * The altar is a place of remembrance
Don’t forget the great things God has done for you. When was the last time you shared your testimony with someone?
When things started getting tough for Jacob, he went back to the altar! Do we do that??? Too many people call the doctor, counselor, and the psychiatrist before asking God!
• The altar is a place where I receive answers Do I go to man or to God for my answers? Give God an opportunity to answer your questions! Listen to the words of an Andre Crouch Song: IF YOU HAVE SOME QUESTIONS IN THE CORNERS OF YOUR MIND AND TRACES OF DISCOURGEMENT AND PEACE YOU CANNOT FIND. REFLECTIONS OF THE OLD PAST, THEY SEEM TO FACE YOU EVERYDAY.THERE’S ONE THING I KNOW FOR SURE THAT JESUS IS AWAY. JESUS IS THE ANSWER FOR THE WORLD TODAY
ABOVE HIM THERE’S NO OTHER JESUS IS THE WAY
JESUS IS THE ANSWER FOR THE WORLD TODAY
ABOVE HIM THERE’S NO OTHER JESUS IS THE WAY
I KNOW YOU GOT MOUNTAINS THAT YOU THINK YOU CANNOT CLIMB. I KNOW THAT YOUR SKIES HAVE BEEN DARK, YOU THINK THE SUN WON’T SHINE.IN CASE YOU DON’T KNOW I’M HEAR TO TELL YOU THAT THE WORD OF GOD IS TRUE AND EVERYTHING THAT HE PROMISED
I TELL YOU HE Will DO IT FOR YOU!
