Build an Altar

Scripture:

Judges 21:4 "Early the next morning the people built an altar and presented their burnt offerings and peace offerings on it".

Observation:

The Israelites had just defeated one of their own tribes who had sinned terribly. They had just wiped out the tribe of Benjamin. Though they had victory in the battle, they were upset because they realized they had just destroyed one of their own tribes. They lost a lot of people on both sides in this battle and wanted to honor the Lord after the victory was won so they built an altar.

Application:

When Israel was victorious, they built an altar. When they suffered defeat, they built an altar. Building an altar was an act of humility before God in which they would offer sacrifices to Him and ask for blessing and cleansing. Today, we need to build altars in our lives to honor the Lord. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit so we don't need to build literal altars, but we must offer our best to the Lord in prayer, giving and sacrifice. He is our foundation for life. He is our strength. We can do nothing without Him.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to build altars again in my life. I want to become a true man of prayer. I want to know you more each day. I want to hear Your voice and respond immediately and quickly. Help me to build an altar today and every day in my life.

Jeff