The Family Altar

 

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“And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land:…there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD” (Genesis 12:7-8).

Abram is a father. His name means “exalted father”. His divine name, “Abraham” means “father of a multitude”. The Apostle Paul says of believers, ..“they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham” (Galatians 3:7). The spiritual fatherhood of Abraham is the legacy of his faith and life in God.

As a patriarch Abraham was an altar builder. His journeys are marked by altars built in specific places honoring specific encounters with God (Genesis 13:8,18). The building of the altars is a significant spiritual strategy.

When the LORD appeared to Abraham he gave Abraham a promise. God initiated a covenant with Abraham. The promise made dealt specifically with Abraham’s family. God had a blessing for the “seed” of Abraham. Everything God wanted to do for Abraham he wanted to do it with his family and through his family.

Your family has a God-given destiny. God has made promises to your family (Acts 2:38-39, 16:31). Someone in your family must follow God in faith and began to build the family altar. When Abraham built an altar it was in response to the grace and the promises of God. This was a way to establishing the importance of worship in the family. Worship in the home should precede worship in the sanctuary. Praise and worship music, prayers, reading the Bible together are ways we can bring an atmosphere of worship into our homes. This is our response to the goodness of God.

The altar was a place of worship and a place of prayer. This is where Abraham would call on the name of the LORD. The family altar announces to your generations how important prayer is to your family.  If prayer becomes a priority in your family the promises of God will never fail to be performed for the favor of your family. Prayer provokes the promises of God. Abraham was a man of prayer and promises.

The altar was not only a place of worship and prayer, but also sacrifice. Altars were built to hold sacrifices. The life of faith includes sacrifices. Abraham would one day be brought to an altar on Mount Moriah called by God to sacrifice his beloved son (Genesis 22). This was the greatest test of his faith.

Whatever sacrifices you have to make to secure the future of your family’s faith is worth it. Family life is a faith journey. Our families need leaders who understand the importance of spending time with your family before God. Teach your family the importance of time with God.

It’s time to go to the altar!