Fresh Manna 8 July
MEDITATION SCRIPTURE: “And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord, and he made a trench about the altar as great as would contain two measures of seed.” (1kgs .18:32).
READ: 1KGS. 18:30-39
30 And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down. 31 And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name: 32 And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed. 33 And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood. 34 And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time. 35 And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water. 36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. 37 Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. 38 Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.
One of the greatest signs of Israel’s backsliding and apostasy is the breaking of the altars of the Lord and the erecting of pagan altars. Concerning the wickedness of King Manasseh, the bible says, “for he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim (2chron.33:3).
The altar is a place of worship, sacrifice and devotion. Building an altar signifies preparation for seeking the Lord. A man without altar is without God because the altar is the meeting place between humanity and divinity.
When Elijah called all Israel to mount Camel to contend with the prophets of Baal, his first step was to build an altar unto the Lord. Today, you may not need to set apart a particular location (if you can, it is not wrong) but you must prepare your heart to seek the Lord. This means cleansing your heart and your life from all negative actions and motives. There are various altars in the life of believer that should be constantly be visited and renewed. The altar of prayer, praise and sacrifice must always be kindled with fresh fire. No matter the worth of a sacrifice, if it is laid on the polluted altar, it does not attract God’s favour. The moment Elijah finished the building of the altar and placed a worthy sacrifice on it, God Himself came down and consumed the sacrifice by fire. Once the spiritual atmosphere is set, God does not need an invitation to manifest.
TURNING POINT: No matter the worth of a sacrifice, if it is laid on the polluted altar, it does not attract God’s favour.
PRAYER POINT: Every broken altar of my life be rebuilt today in Jesus name. Amen.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: JOB.29,30; ACTS 12
Thank you for studying today’s Fresh Manna (The Christian Pentecostal Mission International Daily Devotional) – Rebuild Your Broken Altar – written by REV. DR. O. EZEKIEL & REV. DR. M. EZEKIEL
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Fresh Manna 8 July 2021
