“There I will go to the altar of God – to God – the source of all my joy.” (Psalm 43:4 NIV)
We go to the altar when we are happy or when we are sad. When we are whole or in desperate need of healing. When we have praise reports or pressing concerns. When our needs are met or when our needs are great. The altar is always the right place to go next.
There was an old Wendy’s ad when I was in high school. This was back in the day when the tv shut off at midnight or so, after Conan O’Brien signed off and national anthem played and then the screen went to color blocks followed by static. In that last hour of the evening, Wendy’s would flash a sizzling burger with melting cheese beside an ice-cold Coke and a flickering fluorescent graphic reminding you “We’re still open.”
Wendy’s eventually closes, at least in rural Texas, but the altar is always open. God’s presence is available to us always. He is endlessly ready and willing and waiting to meet with us. Isn’t that amazing? We don’t have to be broken or hurting for downtrodden. We can come to the altar because we are happy or grateful or hopeful. We can express commitment or surrender or decision. We can come to the altar simply to sit nearer to the heart of God. The altar is always open and that is cause for great joy!
“Come near to God and He will come near to you.” (James 4:8 NIV)
Lord, we are so glad for Your open altar! What a privilege it is to come into Your presence and pull close to You. May we exercise that privilege often, not as entitled people but as devoted sons and daughters. Please meet with us today, that we would be made a little more into Your image. Amen.