“Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.” So all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord which had been torn down.” 1 Kings 18:30
“Can you fix it?” I asked Jack. Assuring me it wouldn’t be a problem, since he had all the tools necessary at his shop at home, he took the broken altar piece from the pulpit, and took it home.
The pulpit I preach from every week has some very unique history. In 1974 my father, a Methodist pastor, purchased a closed church in the mountains of Pennsylvania. That church had been built in 1905, with $5000 coming in donation from Andrew Carnegie, the railroad and steel philanthropist. Bringing it to Florida in 1980, it’s been the preaching center for our church ever since. But it broke!
There is no way to know how many sermons and teachings have been given from that pulpit. But if it could talk, I’m sure it would provide some rich history. Just like I can, from my 57 years of being a follower of Jesus Christ. I am NOT the same guy I was on the day I met Him. What I’ve learned from Jesus and his people has only served to make my life rich and full. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
1 Kings 18 is a great chapter in the Bible. It tells of Elijah’s confrontation with the prophets of Baal and Asherah. The count was 850 to 1, Elijah being the lone prophet of God. When it was over, fire blasted down from heaven and consumed EVERYTHING. Even the 40 gallons of water Elijah had dumped over the sacrifice before it was his turn. Read about it if you haven’t heard it before.
I’ve had the privilege of standing on top of Mt. Carmel and seeing the very site where this showdown took place. Just over the ridge, the mountain opens up and looks over the HUGE valley of Megiddo… the future location of the final battle of Armageddon. I find it interesting that before He took his turn to call on his God, Elijah took the time to repair the broken down altar of God that lay in ruins.
Sometimes I feel like that old pulpit. Old and in need of repair. Having Jesus in my life doesn’t guarantee everything will be fine. In fact, having Jesus in my heart makes me more of a target to satan and the world. But no matter the odds, Jesus has NEVER failed to get me through a valley. So everyday, I start my day at the altar at my table, where Jesus and I hang out to load up on His Word.
Do YOU spend daily time with Jesus and His Word? What kind of stories can YOU tell about YOUR Savior? Is your altar strong and well used? Or does it need a little repair? Does the altar alter YOU? Only YOU can choose to make way for the Savior to lead your life. Will you? And thanks Jack, for being a Pulpit Repairman.
