"Unto the place of the altar, which he (Abram) had made there at the first." Genesis 13:4
Abram had built an altar on a mountain between Bethel and Hai (Genesis 12:8); here he had worshiped and was happy. Then a famine came and Abram, unwilling to trust God, went into Egypt (type of the world) and got himself into a peck of trouble. (Have you read the Scripture - Genesis 12:10-13:4? Well! Stop! and do it now!)
After his narrow escape in Egypt he returned to the altar called "The place of the beginning," and was restored to fellowship. Are you, my friend, out of fellowship, away from the altar where you started? Remember how happy you were when you first met Jesus? What has happened? You have forgotten where you began - at the cross. Don't forget where Jesus found you - retrace your steps, confess your drifting, and begin anew at "the place of the beginning."
An ancient legend tells us that the little dwarf, Zacchaeus, lived in Jericho to a ripe old age. Every morning at sunrise he would go out for a walk, and when he returned he was always beaming with joy as he began his day's work. His wife became curious to learn his holy secret and one day followed him. He went to the old sycamore tree he had climbed when Jesus saw him (Luke 19:4-5), took a pail and proceeded to pour water on its roots all around. Then he pulled the weeds, and with folded hands, he stood reverently looking up into its branches fora few moment and said, "Thank you, Lord, thank you!" and smiling, went about his task for the day. If each day you go back to the place of the beginning and say, "Thank you, Lord!" it will keep you happy. Take time each morning - no matter how busy - for a word from Him (in the Book), and a word with Him (in prayer). Try it! It works!
"Bread For Each Day"
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