When I first read the devotionals from Jesus Calling and My Utmost for His Highest this morning, I didn't see a clear connection or common thread, but I should know better. Everything is connected in God and He never leaves loose ends.
Abraham lived his life from altar to altar. So much so, you might think he bought stock in stone quarries. Most religions of his day required building and sacrificing on altars, but Abraham's faith-journey led to building altars each time he communicated with God. The single verse for My Utmost for His Highest seems to merely state a fact:
"From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD." Genesis 12:8
Then I did a little research and found more than facts.
*Abraham had just built an altar in the verse before this (Genesis 12:7) to thank God for the promised land inheritance for the son (Isaac) He had already promised.
*The altar he built in 12:8 was equi-distant from two cities: Bethel and Ai. Bethel means "House of God" and was the then-future location of Jacob's ladder dream and wrestling match with God. On the other hand, Ai was the small pagan city where God's people suffered humiliating defeat because they went into battle without seeking God first. Coincidence? I think not.
*Remember that Abraham didn't know where God was leading him so he had to stay in touch regularly with God to know which direction to take.
Each of us camps out between God and the world; between worship and worry, between seeking God and living independently of Him. Each day we decide whether to build our altar of communication facing God in worship with willingness to follow Him or to build it facing a world of selfish turmoil and constant demands. The altar built to worship God for Who He is and what He can do brings Him glory and trains our minds to expect the best instead of bracing for the worst. Inviting the Holy Spirit to control our minds brings only a positive mindset and direction while letting the world take control leads to distress and anxiety.
"The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace." Romans 8:6
When we're exhausted or uncertain it's time to set up camp and build an altar facing God. As we turn our backs on the world and worry to spend time worshiping Him, He renews our strength and sets us soaring in the right direction. We can never build too many altars to God or worship Him too much on our faith-journey and He can never have too much control of our minds. Of these things, we can be certain.
"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-22
"Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:30-31
Father, it's too easy to let worry eat us up. Change our hearts and minds. Guide us to take all the time You need to remodel our minds. May we camp out until we know where You're leading us, then follow in peace. We kneel at the altar and worship You:
"Ah, Lord God, Thou hast made the heavens and the earth by Thy great power!
Ah, Lord God, Thou hast made the heavens and the earth by Thine outstretched Hand!
Nothing is too difficult for Thee! Nothing is too difficult for Thee!
Great and Mighty God - Mighty in Counsel, Awesome in Deeds,
Nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing, nothing is too difficult for Thee!" God
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