"We Have an Altar Too!"

Joshua 8:30  "Then Joshua built an altar to the LORD, the God of Israel, on Mount Ebal."

This was more than just physically possessing the land...this was about spiritual possession of a heart that is obedient before God.  Joshua did as God had commanded and then built an altar to the LORD...it was time to give credit where credit was due..for the LORD gave them the victory.  Psalm 96:8  "Give to the LORD the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come into His courts."

And just as obtaining the land was more spiritual than physical, so it is with altars.  God is more concerned with the inward sacrifice of the heart than what the people physically laid on the altar.   It wasn't that the physical sacrifice wasn't important,  But the focus is never on the worshiper's sacrifice...but what's going on inwardly.  Without a change of heart and behavior, any physical/material offering is meaningless.  

Hebrews 13:10 "We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle." 

In the New Testament we see that we too have an altar, but not a physical one like the ones we read about in the Old Testament.  Our altar is Jesus Christ; for it's through Him that we offer our "spiritual sacrifices" to God.  Those without Jesus...have no rights to this altar.

There are many ways we, as believers in Jesus can offer our sacrifices to the LORD...here are just a few.  

Sacrifice of praise:  Hebrews 13:15 "Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name."  Words coming from our lips and from our hearts is like fruit laid on the altar.  

Doing Good:  Hebrews 13:16 "And don't forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God."  Doing good to others can be as simple as a kind word or a cup of water given to someone in need.

Prayer and lifting up hands:  Psalm 141:2  "Let my prayer be set before You as incense, The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice."

Submitting our bodies:   Romans 12:1  "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service."

Father, I thank you and praise you for Jesus.  Our perfect sacrifice....through Him I come to You without the need of a priest, for He is my High Priest.  Without the need for the shedding of blood sacrifice...for His blood has already been shed for me.  Help me to live a life that brings Honor and Glory to Your name and may my life be a sweet smelling sacrifice to You.  In Jesus name, amen.

Blessings, 

Sharon