Are you feeling a little depleted at the moment? If you are, then you are not alone. Many people seem to be feeling worn out by the events of the last couple of years and are now simply putting one foot in front of the other. And for those of us who aren’t feeling worn out, our resilience is still at an all-time low.
So how do we bounce back? What does the Bible have to say? Is there a biblical example that can help us in this moment? I believe there is.
At the end of the Old Testament, the Jewish people endured a major traumatic event. The Babylonians captured the city of Jerusalem and took many away into exile in Babylon. They were in “lockdown” in Babylon for 70 long years! Then God called them back to Jerusalem and back to their land. You can read about the first return in Ezra chapters 1-6.
But when they returned to Jerusalem, they realised that nothing was the same as it had been. Everything was a mess. So how did they successfully come back from exile? And how can their return help us recover from what we have experienced today? Let’s take a look.
Build the altar
The very first thing the returnees did was to gather in Jerusalem, and rebuild the altar. This was essential for them, and it will be essential for us too.
When the seventh month came and the Israelites had settled in their towns, the people assembled together as one in Jerusalem. Then Joshua son of Jozadak and his fellow priests and Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and his associates began to build the altar of the God of Israel to sacrifice burnt offerings on it, in accordance with what is written in the Law of Moses the man of God.
Ezra 3:1-2 (NIV)
Notice they didn’t try to build the whole temple. They didn’t even attempt to begin rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. They went back to basics. Back to God’s pattern, and back to the first piece of furniture that is encountered on entering the temple grounds – the altar. The altar is the place you bring things, to give them to God. And the altar is the first place of divine encounter.
Back to basics
Perhaps this is the time for us to go back to basics too. To begin with divine encounter. To intentionally pause in surrender before our loving Father, and unload the weariness of the season we are in. To “build an altar” in our lounge, our bedroom or even as we drive our car, and put our anxieties, our circumstances, our thoughts and feelings on the altar. It’s amazing how often we can forget to do this!
The altar was also the place where the Jews brought praise or thanksgiving offerings (Leviticus 7:12). When was the last time you spent time thanking God for being with you; for His protection; for His good gifts and blessings; or for His love and concern for you and your family? Thanksgiving turns our attention away from the negative things around us and focuses our attention on the One who is over all things.
And let’s not forget that the altar is the place where sins are forgiven and guilt is removed. It’s where the Jews brought their “trespass” or “guilt” offerings to God. Maybe you need to do something similar. The altar is where you can freely come and ask forgiveness for stepping away from God in some way. For wrong actions, thoughts, attitudes or motives. It’s where you will encounter the God who freely forgives and renews.
Jesus is the altar
Ultimately, the altar is not so much a place, but a person – it’s the Lord Jesus Christ. Everything the altar represents is encompassed in Him and what He came to earth to accomplish for us. He is our burden-bearer (Matthew 11:28-30). And He is our great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14). And it’s because of Him that we have a wide open invitation to the place of divine encounter with our loving Father.
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:14-16 (NIV)
Build an altar
So let’s take time to intentionally build an altar, a place of encounter with God – just as the Jews prioritised when they returned from exile. The only difference is that our altar isn’t in Jerusalem, and isn’t made of stone. Our meeting place with God can be anywhere at all, and any time of the day or night. It’s simply the place where we bring everything to Him – the good and the bad, the happy and the hurtful. To re-focus our lives on the One who cares so much for us (1 Peter 5:7). To seek first His kingdom. And then everything else will fall into place (Matthew 6:33).
Build together
And notice the Jews didn’t do this individually. They “assembled together as one in Jerusalem” (Ezra 3:1). There’s something special about engaging with others. It strengthens us and promotes healing and wholeness for everyone involved.
So let’s not try and rebuild alone. Let’s make sure we are helping each other and working alongside each other. Why not begin by inviting a family member for coffee and sharing your experiences. Or asking your friend to pray with you. After all, that’s what being the body of Christ is all about.
From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Ephesians 4:16
How are you going to intentionally build an altar this week?
