We believe that in His kindness, God is getting us ready for the days and battle ahead. In this readiness, perhaps our most important battle strategy is to be spending time with the Lord, strengthening our personal altar- our meeting place- with the Lord.
In 1 Kings 18, we read the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal. They are up a mountain and Elijah challenges them to a contest; they must build an altar and then call on their god to answer by fire on the altar. Whichever god answers by fire is the true god. It seems like a great idea to the prophets, until they start calling on their gods. They shout and they dance, but nobody answers. Then we read that Elijah repairs his altar, he covers it in water and then prays to God. This is how God responds: ‘Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!” 1 Kings 18:38-39.
God’s battle strategy to turn back wickedness in a land was to ask a man to repair the altar of the Lord.
Today, I believe that God is looking for men and women, boys and girls, who will repair the altar of the Lord. An altar in the Old Testament was a place of sacrifice, worship and prayer. It was the place where the people met with God, a place of exchange and encounter.
We don’t have to climb a mountain for divine exchange - we can go to our room, shut the door and pray to our Father who is unseen. Then, our Father who sees what is done in secret will reward us (Matthew 6:6).
It is this consistent, dynamic and living relationship with God that will sustain us in the days ahead.
1) Altars require sacrifice.
When we say yes to time with God, we say no to time spent doing something else (no to sleep, no to watching something on the television).
Sacrifice looks different for everyone and in every season
What might sacrifice look like for you?
2) The altar is the means- relationship is the goal.
We are under a new covenant - there used to be hundreds of rules around the altar and what needed to be brought when.
Now, we have access into the most holy place by the blood of Jesus – our sacrificial lamb. So, we can come boldly to enter his throne of grace.
It’s not about the altars in and of themselves, it’s about making space to be with God.
3) We have access to God beyond the altar.
Elijah used 12 stones to build the altar. Today, we are the living stones (1 Peter 2:4-6).
Now, our access to God is not restricted to a particular place, sacrifice, or priest. Through Jesus, we have continual access to God (Hebrews 4:16).
There are no waiting lists. There are no hidden fees. There is no limit to God’s wisdom, His presence, His care or His attention.
May I invite you today to spend time with the true God, the One who loves us, created us and wants to spend time with us.
- Taken from Bethany Milne’s message
Pastor Steve has just released a 30-day devotional book called, ‘Time with God.’ Catch up with the message below to hear a short interview with Pastor Steve about the book.
Next Steps:
- Catch up with the message here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8o473D11w38
- Get your copy of ‘Time with God’ here: https://allnations.shop/products/time-with-god
- Set your time, place and plan to strengthen your altar.
- Access the Battle Ready resource here: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/66c4b44f03351d4672264953/t/6ad48a1ce3be3d48cfc09157/1792313884943/Battle+Ready.pdf