A Place of Exchange

That kind of man (the idolater) feeds on ashes [and is satisfied with ashes]! A deceived mind has led him astray?” Isaiah 44:20 (AMP)

What altars have you built in your life that are places of exchange? You might say, “Huh, what do you mean? If you consider an altar belongs only in a cathedral or church building, you should think again. Any place, person, goal, or thought pattern you habitually attend is an altar. Here is where you exchange something valuable to you. Time is precious in your life so use it wisely. Don’t compromise your wellbeing at an altar that takes what is dear from you and gives you little, or worse, nothing but pain in return.

Do you have a pattern of sin in your life that, no matter how hard you try, you cannot seem to lay aside? Destroy the altar it lands on, and you will disentangle yourself from its grip. The wisest way to resist temptation is to flee from the source of attraction. Are you glued to the TV set when you come home from work? Is social media continually before your face? Are your eyes drawn to porn? If you find satisfaction in such things, you feed on ashes and don’t even know it. Exchange the lesser stuff you attend for the prize of your high calling in God. Replace the altar of nothingness with the goodness of God.

You alone must build your altar to God. Make your heart the place where He is continually before you. In His presence, you will find great joy and help in times of trouble. As you lift yourself to Him, you make an exchange. He gives Himself to you as you give yourself to Him. Draw near to Him, and He will draw near to you. Find a place in your home and dedicate it to Him. Go there every day and bow down to His majesty. As time goes by, that altar will rise higher and higher and overtake every evil altar in your life!