Sunday, August 28, 2022

THE ALTAR

Today’s Reading: Exodus 27

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).

The High Priest in front of the Golden Lampstand in the Holy Place. This lamp would burn continually and brightly, fueled by pure olive oil. This photo was taken in the full-sized replica of the Old Testament Tabernacle, which was on display during the summer of 2012 at the Crossroads Centre in Burlington, Ontario. Rev. Rick Hiebert portrays the High Priest.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.

Key Verse: Exodus 27:20

And you shall command the children of Israel that they bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to cause the lamp to burn continually.

 

The horns of the altar literally stand out for all who enter the outer court of the Tabernacle (in tomorrow’s blog we will include a photo of what those horns on that altar may have looked like). As with some animals, the horns speak of protection from attack as well as weapons to attack. Defence and offense are God’s commitments to us. God cares for all who trust Him. Animal sacrifices were consumed here. For we who believe in Jesus Christ, the Sacrifice of the Cross provides protection and also we must be on the offensive with the Cross as our message to the whole world. The olive tree and its fruit always represent the spiritual devotional life of the people of God. The olive oil was to be replenished without fail every day. The Sunday School chorus says, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.” This blog is one way to make sure our spiritual life is burning brightly 24/7.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I pray for fresh oil in the lamp of my life today. Holy Spirit, You are often represented in Scripture as Oil. When my light is about to go out, please fill me with Yourself, Holy Spirit. I want to be a brightly shining light in this dark world. Thank You for answering my prayer. I receive it now, in the Name of Jesus, the One of whom John the Baptist said, “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Matthew 3:11b). Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Among my childhood memories are the words of prayers I would hear God’s people pray. One had to do with holding onto the horns of the altar. My imagination was fired with a picture of the one praying, holding to those horns and refusing to let go until God’s voice was heard and His purposes fulfilled. This is a stubborn, unyielding determination to stay in fervent prayer until the answer came from God. “Yes!” “No!” “Slow!” “Grow!” Then there was my Father’s prayer and one of the many couplets he would quote. It went like this: “May Heaven come down our souls to greet, and Glory crown the Mercy Seat.” I was not too sure what it meant, but I knew that as Dad was praying his face lit up with joy. What an amazing spiritual inheritance I received from my parents. Norma-Jean and I had a different pattern we followed with our children, but the results were the same in their lives as in mine. The Oil was replenished daily and the flame continues until today.

Yours for the daily infilling of the Holy Spirit, helping us all to burn brightly,

David

8 thoughts on “Sunday, August 28, 2022

  1. We daily need the fresh oil of His Spirit because the vessels of our souls leak.May God bless

    What A Glorious Day

    What a glorious day it will be,
    When my savior is looking at me,
    And says,’child,you are free’,
    For then I rejoin my family.

    What a glourious day in Glory,
    As we enter as a child with love,
    For we will start a new story,
    When we enter those gates above.

    What a glorious day with Jesus,
    When at His feet I will fall,
    To know just how he sees us,
    As His children,one and all.

    What a glorious day for leaving,
    Where sorrow is never known,
    I pray for short time grieving,
    As I harvest the love I’ve sown.
    G W(Bill) Marshall / May 05, 2013

    • Thank you William… your poem touches my heart!

      I am praying along with David this morning “Lord I pray for fresh oil in the lamp of my life as well”

      I also did the Tabernacle tour at Crossroads that summer of 2012, it was inspiring!
      The other thing that I will never forget about that summer is that I was a new widow, oh how my heart grieved, it took three or more months for the reality to even begin to sink in.
      Yet, our Heavenly Father never left me, I can now say with confidence we may go thro pain but HE is will not leave us!
      This blog was and is also a great comfort and teacher.

      I am praying for Doreen’s unspoken prayer request, and for all bloggers, especially Luisa, may God comfort you in a special way today.

      Have a blessed Sunday everyone!

  2. As Keith Green wrote, don’t let my heart grow cold! I’m crying out, Light the fire again!
    Thank You for Your love, Lord – help us love those around us.
    Bless and anoint all Your workers, Father, with Your Holy Spirit. As the message says, please help us keep the fire of Your presence burning and undimmed, in Jesus’s great name, amen

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