Last week we learned that the altar
of incense represented the prayers of the people of God. It was in
front of the entrance of the Most Holy Place. And this represents
that our prayers bring us into the Most Holy Place. And with Jesus'
death the curtain was torn. Thus through Him we can gain access
into the Throne room!
Now what is interesting to note is
that the altar had four horns on the corners of the altar. The
Bible has some interesting things to say about horns. So let us
have a look at it.
We see that horns were blown in the
Israeli victory over Jericho:
"And seven priests shall bear
seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark. But the seventh day
you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall
blow the trumpets." Joshua 6:4
Thus it is safe to say that the
blowing of a horn represents victory. A horn also represents
power:
"His glory is like a firstborn
bull, and his horns like the horns of the wild ox; together with
them He shall push the peoples to the ends of the earth."
Deuteronomy 33:17
This power display is also
presented in Revelation 13 where the beast coming out of the sea
had ten horns. These ten horns represent the world powers dominant
at that stage of world history. Also in Zechariah 1:18,19 horns
represent nations who had power to destroy:
"Then I raised my eyes and
looked, and there were four horns. And I said to the angel who
talked with me, "What are these?" So he answered me, "These are the
horns that have scattered Judah, Israel and Jerusalem."
Thus horns represent power and
kingdoms and God's victory being proclaimed. There were four. There
are a number of things in creation that is four, namely the
seasons, the regions of the earth (north, west, south and east),
the earthly elements (earth, air, fire and water) and so forth. And
according to the book "Hearing God: Numbers Dictionary" the number
four is also used in prophetic visions and can therefore also refer
to the spiritual relationship that we have with God.
All in all I think the horns along
with the incense burning means that there are power and victory
over all the nations of the earth, in all directions through our
prayers. Our prayers also strengthen our spiritual relationship
with God.
Now if this is true (and it is),
why is prayer the one thing that we neglect the most? Why do we
rush when we pray before eating and simply say a rhyme we learned
years ago? Why do we fall asleep while praying before we go to bed
at night? Why do we battle to make time for prayer? But there is
always time for social, sport and television. If this tool is so
powerful and will provide victory to us, why do we disregard the
importance of it?
It is because the devil knows how
powerful we will become. It is because he wants to distract us in
any way possible, with even good things, that we won't have time
for what is truly important. He is sly and will make you think that
you are praying against the ceiling of your house and that your
prayers amount to nothing. We need to shun him and shut him out of
our lives. We need to close the door in his face and open the door
to God's Spirit. We need to make time for what is truly important.
I read in a book once that it would be an insult to God if He were
to answer our half-hearted prayers. And this really hit me as I
thought of how I prayed about certain things. If I didn't see the
manifestation immediately I stopped praying and thought that His
answer might be no. But I never really continued and put my heart
and soul into it. Since I started to really truthfully and
sincerely pray about things, I have seen a massive difference. It
truly is worth the fight.
Make a dedicated decision today to
really start praying with your heart and soul and to search for God
in all things. Power and victory won't be left behind.
Father, we are sorry that we
neglect praying and spending time with You. We are sorry that other
things become too important. You are so wonderful and we declare
that we want to stop rushing around and that we want to place You
first in all things. We love You dearly! Amen