Bible Text: 1 Kings 18:30-38 (KJV)
1 Kings 18:30-38 KJV
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.*
Introduction
Today, we gather to reflect on a crucial aspect of our spiritual journey—our personal altar before the Lord. The concept of the altar is deeply rooted in biblical history, representing a place of encounter with God, a place of sacrifice, prayer, and worship. However, in our fast-paced lives, we often neglect this sacred space, allowing it to fall into disrepair. Today, we are called to rebuild the altar of the Lord in our hearts, to restore that place where we have direct, one-on-one access to God.
1. The Significance of the Altar
In the Old Testament, the altar was a physical structure where sacrifices were made to God. It was a place of divine encounter, where God revealed Himself to His people. Abraham built altars as he journeyed, marking places where he experienced God’s promises and presence. *Genesis 12:7-8 (KJV): And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him. And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the Lord, and called upon the name of the Lord.* Elijah repaired the altar of the Lord on Mount Carmel before calling down fire from heaven. *1 Kings 18:30-38 (KJV): 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. 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: 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. 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. 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. And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water. 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. 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. 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.* These altars were more than mere stone structures; they symbolized a meeting point between heaven and earth.
In our lives, the altar represents our personal relationship with God. It is where we meet with Him in prayer, worship, and meditation on His Word. It is a place of sacrifice—where we lay down our lives, our desires, and our will before Him. Without a functioning altar, our spiritual lives become dry and barren, disconnected from the source of life.
2. The Need to Rebuild the Altar
Over time, many of us may have allowed our spiritual altars to become neglected. The demands of daily life, distractions, and even spiritual complacency can cause the fire on our altar to dim or go out entirely. When Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, he first repaired the altar that had been broken down. *1 Kings 18:30 (KJV): 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.* Before the fire of God could fall, the altar needed to be restored.
Similarly, we must examine our own lives to see where the altar has been neglected. Have we allowed sin, doubt, or fear to creep in and weaken our faith? Have we become too busy to spend time in God’s presence? The call today is to rebuild—to restore that sacred place in our hearts where we meet with God one-on-one.
3. How to Rebuild the Altar
Rebuilding the altar begins with repentance. Just as Elijah gathered the stones to repair the altar, we must return to the foundational truths of our faith. We must confess our sins, turn away from anything that hinders our relationship with God, and seek His forgiveness. *Psalm 51:17 (KJV): The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.*
Next, we must prioritize our time with God. Just as the priests in the Old Testament tended to the fire on the altar daily, we must cultivate a consistent prayer life. Set aside regular time each day to seek God’s face, to read His Word, and to worship Him. As we do, the fire on our altar will begin to burn brightly again.
Finally, we must be willing to lay down our lives as a living sacrifice. *Romans 12:1 (KJV): I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.* The altar is a place of surrender, where we give up our own desires and plans in exchange for God’s will. It is where we say, *“Not my will, but thine, be done.”* *Luke 22:42 (KJV): Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.* When we fully surrender to God, He will meet us at the altar, and His fire will ignite our hearts with passion for Him.
4. The Power of a Rebuilt Altar
When the altar is restored, and the fire of God burns brightly upon it, we will experience His presence in a profound way. Elijah’s rebuilt altar led to a powerful demonstration of God’s power as fire fell from heaven. *1 Kings 18:38 (KJV): 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.* Similarly, when we rebuild our personal altar, we will see God move mightily in our lives. We will experience His guidance, His provision, and His peace.
Moreover, a rebuilt altar not only affects our personal lives but also impacts those around us. Just as Elijah’s encounter on Mount Carmel turned the hearts of the Israelites back to God, our lives can be a testimony to others. When people see the fire of God burning in us, they will be drawn to the Lord.
Conclusion
Beloved, the call to rebuild the altar of the Lord is urgent and necessary. We are invited to restore that sacred space where we can commune with God, hear His voice, and experience His power. As we rebuild our altars through repentance, prayer, and surrender, we will find that God meets us there in a personal and transformative way.
Let us commit today to making our altars a priority. Let us tend to the fire daily, ensuring that it never goes out. In doing so, we will maintain a vibrant and powerful connection with our Creator, and our lives will be a beacon of His love and glory to the world around us. Amen.
