Daily Manna: Needless Altar

Saturday, May 18, 2013

TEXT: HOSEA 8:1-14

Key Verse : “Because Ephraim hath made many altars to sin, altars shall be unto him to sin” (Hosea 8:11).

In his sermon, ‘Ephraim’s Many Altars to Sin’, Stephen Elliott, first Bishop of Georgia, said: “When we take our step in sin, we little conceive where that false movement will conduct us. It is only after a sad experience that we come to understand the effects which sin produces upon our own hearts, and appreciate the difficulty which there is in resisting its corrupting and downward tendencies.”

The enslaving powers of sin are terrible, especially when the restraining influence of God’s hand is withdrawn.

Most problems of mankind are self-inflicted. A greater percentage of diseases and infirmities afflicting people today are direct consequences of sinful activities. The Bible says whatsoever a man sows, that shall he reap also. God told Prophet Hosea that Israel has sown the wind and must reap the whirlwind. Presumptuous sins are hardly forgiven. Such sins annoy the Almighty God the more.

In our text today, Ephraim had made provision for sin and as a result, sin was always his companion. This is also the picture of the lifestyle of reprobates.

The Israelites knew the significance of an altar in the worship of the true God. When an altar is dedicated to Satan, it ceases to exude the aura and sacredness it deserves. God told Hosea that Ephraim had raised for himself a strange altar where he did abominable things different from the true worship of the Almighty.

This is a call to all believers today to review what and how we sacrifice on God’s altar. God cannot compromise His standard of holiness. And He has the power to judge anyone who continues in sin in disregard of His call to repentance. He is still waiting for you to embrace His mercy and love today.

Thought for the Day : No one can simultaneously serve God and mammon.