A Grateful Heart is One That Worships

Good Morning,

Genesis 8:20-21, "And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt-offerings on the altar. 21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour..."

The return to the dry land, through the special mercy of God to Noah and his house, is celebrated by an offering of thanksgiving and faith. Noah built an altar unto the LORD, this is the first mention of the altar, which was a structure for the purpose of sacrifice. The Lord is now on high, having swept away the Garden, and withdrawn  His visible presence at the same time from the earth. The altar is therefore erected to point toward His dwelling-place on high.

The LORD was well pleased with this act of contrite worship, performed in obedience to his own appointment, and in faith of the promised Savior. This sacrifice of Noah, was a type of the sacrifice of Jesus Himself, Ephesians 5:1-2, "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour." The Greek words of Paul translated "sweetsmelling savour" are the very same Greek words used in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament) in Genesis 8:21.

A grateful heart always builds an altar. Noah did so in Genesis 8, and Abraham did so in Genesis 12:7. Have you laid your own life on the altar of sacrifice? Romans 12:1-2, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

How much do you love and worship the Lord?

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1.  Do you recognize the great worth of our Savior?

2.  Have you contemplated the response that God deserves from you because of His great love and mercy toward you?

3.  Are you grateful for what God has done for you?  Count some blessings to encourage your heart today.

4.  Will you present yourself a living sacrifice to God?  As one who is made whole through His blood, one who is acceptable in His sight.

5.  Think of how you can give your life in service for the Lord.

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott