Stability

We have been talking about building and repairing altars through spiritual means such as prayer, fasting, and the reading of the Word.

But have you ever noticed how altars were built and made back then? Throughout Scripture, we notice that altars were built with different materials, but a lot were built with stone.

What is the significance of stone?

Stone represents a form of STABILITY.

How do I know this? Matthew 7 tells us:

"Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock."

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

The Bible tells us that listening and adhering to the word of God builds a solid foundation that can withstand trials and tribulations.

The Bible also tells us in Ephesians:

"having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,"

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

A cornerstone is a vital stone at the corner of a building that joins two walls. It helps lock the walls together and supports the weight of the structure.

Our relationship with God involves specific materials (prayer, fasting, the Word, the rock/chief cornerstone) to obtain a solid structure.

How does this pertain to altars?

"And if you make Me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stone; for if you use your tool on it, you have profaned it."

‭‭Exodus‬ ‭20‬:‭25‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

God told Moses to make the altar specifically out of unhewn stone. Hewn stones are stones that have been chiseled or carved by specific tools. He did not want them to use THEIR TOOLS because it would violate the use of the altar and its sacrifice.

Remember how I mentioned stone represents stability, and that God instructs us to construct our altars a certain way.

Some of us are trying to build altars with hewn stone (our own methods) and wonder why our efforts and sacrifices aren't acceptable. What is your sacrifice rooted in?

Some of us have even built altars with the chief cornerstone but have forsaken the proper ways to maintain it (i.e., praying and reading). That's how you mess with the stability and structure of your altar!

I say all this to remind us that we cannot do anything in our own strength and power. I understand that life gets to us and that we feel the need to figure things out, such as bills, education, or simply the next step. You stress yourself out when relying on yourself. Remember the One who made a way for you to get there, and trust that He will maintain and sustain you no matter what.

Acts tells us:

"for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.'"

‭‭Acts‬ ‭17‬:‭28‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

IN HIM, not in us.

I charge you to reflect on what areas of your life where you have been relying on yourself too much, and then give them to God. Watch Him turn it around for you!