TEXT:Exo 35:16
''The altar of burnt offering, with his brasen grate, his staves, and all his vessels, the laver and his foot''
The word 'altar' means simply 'high place' or that which lifts up. An altar lifts up all that is laid thereon. Whatever is laid on it is exalted above the ground. It becomes higher than what is in hand.
Lord, I put myself on this brazen altar of burnt offering-this is the only way to elevation. Whatever I hold unto, is low, but if placed on the altar of burnt offering, it rises above the earth.
My grace, contacts, connections, calling, all that I have and I am, I bring them to this brazen altar. Set fire on all of them, let it go up in smoke to thee! The world may call it nonsense and mere smoke, but I call it elevation!
All sacrifices on this brazen altar are lifted up in form of smoke by the consuming fire that burns continually thereon. Oh! this is the surest way to the city above. Smoke does not descend but ascend: if I must be thus, I should then bind myself to this brazen alter and turn to smoke; I must vanish! No man can catch smoke with his hand nor make it slave of his. Lord, away to the altar then, take me thither.
Let the fire burn every trace of sinfulness! Roast my pen! Burn my mouth! Crucify my sight! Let me disappear, that thou mayest appear!
I am willing that all of me be turned into a smoke for the glory of God! Let the fire of the holy ghost feed upon my life. May my whole being ascend as a sweet savour unto God.
Oh as the sacrifice, being dead, is unconscious of its virtues, so may I be dead to any good in and from me: as moses wist not that his face shone! A virtue conscious of is prone to be turned into a vice. A cherished humility is an inverted pride! Let me have nothing and know nothing except Christ and Him crucified.
Oh, for such a blessed state of unconsciousness! I morn because I can still feel offended! I sorrow because I can still react to fear, and wounded pride! I can still kiss myself well-done, when men praise me; and feel down when criticised.
Give this worm and the least of all thy saints, thy help! Heal me and I shall be healed! Help me, and I shall be helped: for vain is the help of man! Amen!