Building An Altar

 Light On Sunday

with Major Isaiah Motsi 

(Gaborone, Botswana)

BUILDING AN ALTAR

_So Jacob said to everyone in his household, "Get rid of your pagan idols, purify yourselves, and put on clean clothing. We are going to Bethel, where I will build an altar to the God who answered my prayers when I was in distress. He has been with me wherever I have gone."_(Genesis 35:2-3)

Jacob did this under God's instruction. _"Get ready and move to Bethel and settle there. Build an alter there to the God who appeared to you when you fled  from your brother Esau."_ (Genesis 35:1) Faith teaches us when and how to move. 

It also gives instruction as to what to do.  Doing that, dear Christian, is walking with God.

By reminding Jacob of his past, God did not intend to shame him but teach him to appreciate and give a testimony. By building the altar Jacob would give an enduring  testimony of what God had done for him.

As believers we need to learn to recognize God and appreciate him for what he has done for us. Our father never stops doing good for us, even if we, sometimes, forget to acknowledge him.

Jacob took time to reflect on what had happened in his life, and how God had rescued him from his troubles. 

He erected something tangible, an altar, in honor of his God. _Has God done anything for you? How many times has he stood by your side?_ Such times are worth building altars for and say _"thank you God, I am where I am today because of you. I have what I have today all because of you, and for that, I will build an altar._

Amen