Completing the Altar

Introduction

Solomon successfully accomplished all he had desired to do in his mind both in the Temple of the Lord and in his own palace. In the two scriptures, the emphasis is placed on Solomon having completed all that he had set to do in the house of the Lord.

It is very easy to start a project, but those who finish are very few. This is very unfortunate

We want to be people who are finishers, not people who start something but they cannot finish.

There are people who have very many ideas but have not accomplished any of them. Solomon conceived in his heart how he wanted to build the house of the Lord and he accomplished it. This was an idea he had picked from his father.

As we started the project of building the house of the Lord, we had one purpose; to complete the house of the Lord.

Acceptability of the Alter

1. a) Acceptability of the alter is pegged on its completion.

God decided to visit Solomon for the second time. God was visiting Solomon after almost 20 years after He had first visited him at Mount Gideon. In this second visit, God is visiting him after the completion of the alter.

Enemies to Projects

In Nehemiah chapter 6, after Nehemiah started to rebuild the wall, he had to contend with several enemies

1. Distractions

Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem tried to distract Nehemiah from his vision of building the wall. Nehemiah 2:19.

2. Discouragements

When Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem were unable to distract Nehemiah, they tried to discourage him.

If you listen to discouragements you will fail.

3. Failure to Prioritize

The distracters targeted the leader. They told Nehemiah to attend a meeting that they were planning and even tried to persuade him five times. However, Nehemiah had prioritized the building of the wall and did not allow himself to be distracted.

1. b) Acceptability of an alter invokes the presence of God

2 Chronicles 7.12. The Lord appeared to Solomon after He had successfully built the wall.

The Lord heard the prayers that were made in that place. Prayer comes from us but it is another thing for the Lord to say, ‘I have heard your prayers’. It is very comforting to hear that.

The Lord chose the place as His place of Sacrifice. How wonderful it is to finish an alter and hear the Lord say He has accepted it.

Consecration of the Altar

We must be able to finish the place that the Lord may accept it. 2 Chronicles 7:12/ 1 Kings 9.3

The Lord accepted that His name be associated with the temple that Solomon had built for him.

Acceptability of an alter is displayed when the Lord authenticates the prayers made there.

Conclusion

Let us have one resolution; we want to finish this sanctuary – (Chrisco Thika- The Joyful Assembly).