A NEW ALTAR
That night, the LORD said to Gideon, "Take the second bull from your father's herd, the one that is seven years old. Pull down your father's altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole standing beside it. Then build an altar to the LORD your God here on this hilltop sanctuary, laying the stones carefully. Sacrifice the bull as a burnt offering on the altar, using as fuel the wood of the Asherah pole you cut down."
Judges 6:25-26 (NLT)
Have you ever been asked to do something you knew would create pushback or even threaten your safety? Gideon faced this after following the Lord's direction to tear down an altar to Baal. He feared what the townspeople—and even his own family—might do. Yet Gideon's father, Joash, defended his son, pointing out that if Baal were truly a god, he could defend himself.
It's encouraging to see God's promises unfold. In Judges 6:23, God told Gideon not to be afraid and assured him he would not die. Later, God fulfilled that promise, turning the tables on those who wanted to harm him. Gideon demonstrated courage in the face of fear. He understood the possible consequences but chose to trust God's promise and embrace faith over fear.
As Kingdom men and women, we are also called to tear down the altars of false gods in our lives. Maybe it is pride, self-image, unhealthy relationships or fear of what others might say or do. Perhaps it is an altar connecting you to people, places or things that are harming your walk with Jesus. Trading those altars for one that glorifies God will not always be popular. It may bring inward and outward resistance. But remember, we have a heavenly Father who speaks for us, speaks over us, defends us and faithfully fulfills His promises. When God calls us to tear something down, we can trust Him with what follows.
APPLICATION: Ask yourself, What do I consider to be an altar? Then ask God to reveal the altars in your life. Sometimes, tearing down altars takes time; start today, one block at a time. They will come down, creating space for an altar to Jesus.
PRAYER: Jesus, create in us a clean heart, highlight the altars in our lives that block proper relationship with you and give us the bravery to tear them down. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don’t let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?