The name of this linkup is Recharge Wednesday. I don’t know about you, but by the middle of the week, I’m starting to wane. I need to refuel because I’m human.
Our heroes in the faith were also human, and they needed to recharge too.
Here’s how they did it when they were running on empty:
NOAH
After the flood dried up and everyone exited the ark, Noah sacrificed to the Lord. He built an altar. Then he took some of ALL the clean animals and birds and sacrificed them (presumably the animals had mated on the high seas!)
ABRAHAM
Once Abraham arrived in the land God would give his descendants, he built an altar to God there. After God fulfilled his long-awaited promise to Abraham by giving him Isaac, a son, Abraham was tested at an altar. He surrendered ALL God’s wonderful gift, preparing to sacrifice Isaac. God gave him a ram to sacrifice instead.
JACOB
Remembering God’s revealing at Bethel in a distressing time (AKA his brother trying to kill him after he snuck the birthright away,) Jacob built an altar.
MOSES
Post “Let my people go,” while Moses was leading a stubborn people through the wilderness, he gave God’s law to the people. Part of the law? Building altars. Offering sacrifices. Moses himself spent a lot of time during that trying period personally before God in the holy place, offering himself to God’s service.
When we’re running low on faith-fuel, sacrifice doesn’t seem like what we need to get recharged. But it is. Click To TweetMaybe it’s a bit like spring cleaning- everything has to come out of the cabinet before it can be clean, organized, and put back in right order. Perhaps it’s similar to when our cars get an oil change- the system has to be drained of impurities first.
I’m not sure of the exact equation, but it seems in Scripture that God fills us up when we come and empty out before Him. Click To TweetAs you read, write, pray, and connect through this linkup (and life!) today, I pray you take the time to hand it all over to the Lord.
Somehow, the burden’s always lighter once we’ve laid it on His altar again.
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LINKUP is open! It's hump day... and some of us start running low on fuel. So did the giants of Faith in the bible. Come Recharge today by reading this great post by @BethanyMcIlrath and share your blog with our audience. Click To Tweet
Awesome post, Bethany and Patricia. It’s comforting and powerful to see heroes find time to recharge…with God. Love this tweet, “I’m not sure of the exact equation, but it seems in Scripture that God fills us up when we come and empty out before Him.” Amen and Amen!
So glad, Karen! Thank you!! Glad we can recharge with our Savior!
Loved your thoughts today, Bethany! God’s economy is always upside down from our own.
Thank you, Debbie! Amen, it is!
And we don’t have to go out and sacrifice and put up a lot of rocks. All we need to do is to take time and have a prayer closet.
Right! Whew…I don’t have too many rocks haha….
Great post Bethany!
I found that Noah had taken…by God’s direction 7 pairs of each of the clean animals when entering the Ark (Genesis 7:2-3), so God had already provided the animals for sacrifice on the alter before the flood began! How amazing is His provision for us! Even before we ask He has provided!
Thank you for hosting Patricia!
Remember you are both welcome to drop over for a cuppa anytime!
Jennifer
Thanks Jennifer! And yes! Sometimes I forget that technically God provides everything we have to sacrifice (what do we have that we did not receive?) Especially true in Noah’s case! Blessing! Thanks for the invitation!
What a beautiful equation! He fills us when we pour out to Him! I love that, Bethany. What an original insight into Scripture.
Thank you Betsy!! Grateful for this equation too!
Beautiful words and such a great reminder, Bethany!
Thank you Stacey! Glad you’re here!
this is a really great post. I can definitely relate, being in the middle of decluttering my cupboards. the best way is to empty it all out then the after effects are so much better.. to be recharged by GOD, the best way is to come being empty of ourself and sacrifice it all to Him. the result is pure and clean! I think this picture will stick in my mind for awhile!
Ooh yes!! That element of cleaning stuff out is such a great illustration! Thanks for bringing that up! (And happy cleaning!)