The Altar

An altar is any place we consecrate to meet with God.

The altar is a place where hearts are changed, people are saved, and commitments are made. It is at the altar that we meet with God. It is here where we respond to His call on our lives. It is at the altar we accept the grace that is extended to us, and by faith we receive. It is also the place where God chooses to correct and instruct us.

After David numbered the fighting men of Israel without God’s consent, he was judged heavily for it. Seventy thousand people died because of his disobedience. It was at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite that David took responsibility for his own actions. It was there that he bought the place for the full price and built an altar unto the Lord; the place where Solomon would later build the Temple.

When I think about the Altar there are 4 Observations that immediately come to my mind.

1. There is always blood at the altar—it is the place where something has died so that someone else might live. Calvary is the altar that comes to mind; it’s where Jesus died so that we could live.

2. There is always a sacrifice at the altar—something that has been given up to do some greater good. A sacrifice had to give itself wholly on the altar, and this is what we are supposed to do at the altar as well. Have you given yourself wholly?

a. The altar is also the place where God does spiritual surgery on us. Here we are sometimes rebuked, sometimes chastened, and brought to a place of submission.

b. This is what happened to David. He was brought to the altar of submission after the angel had killed 70,000 people.

c. There is one thing that I can say about David—He always to responsibility for his actions. He never blamed others or passed the buck. He owned up to his own sins.

d. What kind of sacrifice had you made for the Lord lately?


3. There is always fire at the altar—fire represents the Spirit; in the Old Testament the fire was to never go out at the altar.

a. When David offered his sacrifice on the altar fire fell from heaven indicating that God approved of, and accepted his sacrifice.

b. Fire is always present at the altar, and if you will present yourself at his altar He will touch you.

c. Isaiah was one who was touched by the fire from the altar and it changed his life. He was commissioned also for the work of the Lord and willingly accepted what he was earlier scared to do. But he was ready now because of the altar.



4. There is always worship at the altar—it is the where we meet with God and our burdens are lifted.

a. Altars are built for worship, so its only natural that:

i. Tears flow at the altar.

ii. Cold hearts melt at the altar

iii. Minds are changed at the altar

iv. Marriages are mended at the altar

v. Relationships are repaired at the altar

You can consecrate anything as an altar to the Lord. It may be your nightstand beside the bed, or it could be your coffee table in your living room. Or, it could be an old tree stump in your back yard, or and old work bench in your shop, as long as it is the place where you meet with God to commune with Him.

If you don’t have an altar, I challenge you to consecrate one and pray there regularly and see what God will do in your life.



Michael D. Sanes
Pastor, The Harbor Worship Center