During my morning devotional, I was reading in Exodus 17:15 – And Moses built an altar and named it, “The LORD Is My Banner.” So I decided to stop and research what else the Lord was called in the Old Testament. I found eleven different names mentioned in the scriptures. Most of them refer to our Lord as providing us with strength and protection.
The Lord is my …
- Strength – Ex. 15:2
- Banner – Ex. 17:15
- Rock – 2 Sam. 22:2
- Shepherd – Ps. 23:1
- Light and Salvation – Ps. 27:1
- Strength and my Shield – Ps 28:7
- Refuge – Ps. 94:22
- Helper – Ps 118:7, Hab. 13:6
- Strength and my Song – Ps. 118:14, Isa. 12:2, Ex. 15:2
- Portion – Ps. 119:57, Lam 3:24
- God – Zech. 13:9
The other item that I noticed is that Moses had built an altar. When God does something for us, we are to build an altar and offer a sacrifice to Him. This theme was carried throughout the old testament of the Bible. Genesis 8:20 Noah built an altar, Genesis 12:7 Abram built an altar, Genesis 35:7 Jacob built an altar… etc.
So then are we to build an altar when God moves in our lives? Yes… but after the finished work of Jesus, we are to offer ourselves, as a living sacrifice of worship to our God. We now can come directly to God through the finished work of Jesus and worship God in Spirit and in truth. Living and walking at all times in the Spirit, in a constant attitude of prayer should now be our offer of acceptable sacrifice to God on the altar. We offer Him our lives, our hearts and all that we are. Jesus has paid the price to redeem us back to the Father. Hallelujah – come let us offer ourselves on the altar today. Consume me, oh my God.
