When Pagan Altars Are Burned...

I watched them burn their altar to nothing. 

This is taking things to a whole new level. 

Within a few weeks after I had the privilege of praying with this young woman to receive Christ, we returned to do follow up ministry in her village. That day, she and her husband decided to burn their altar down to the "ancestral spirit" that they worship.

I am reminded of the scripture when King David insisted on paying for the threshing floor that he was going to sacrifice burnt offerings to God on. It costs us something when we choose to really follow Him. There is always a price. This people group live in fear of offending their "ancestral spirits". According to their fearful beliefs, these ancestors have the power to harm their family, cause their crops to perish and ultimately bring death to their house. Worship, honor and sacrifice are ways of appeasing them. Putting their faith in Jesus to be their ultimate Source, would cost them "everything"- especially, if they were wrong. It would mean turning their back on everything that they put their trust in. It would mean sacrificing their reputation (about 10 villagers observed this tearing down of the altar). It would mean destroying their worldview at the root. It would mean going against culture. Burning down their altar would be the ultimate abandonment to God. 

2 Samuel 24:24b

"... NOR will I offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing..."

When altars are burned... when it costs us something... that is when His freedom has access to our hearts.

When pagan altars are burned, there is a question at the root of it all...
Is it time to light a match in our own lives? 

"If you are still measuring out your offerings, then you haven't seen His worth yet." -Klaus Kuehn

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