The song “Is Your All On The Altar” is a popular gospel hymn that has been sung in churches for many years. It was written by Elisha A. Hoffman, who was a famous American evangelist and gospel songwriter. The song is a call to believers to surrender everything to Jesus and to offer their lives as a living sacrifice.
The Lyrics of the Song
The lyrics of the song are simple yet powerful. The first verse goes like this:
“You have longed for sweet peace,
And for faith to increase,
And have earnestly, fervently prayed;
But you cannot have rest,
Or be perfectly blest,
Until all on the altar is laid.”
The chorus of the song is also very catchy and easy to sing:
“Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid?
Your heart, does the Spirit control?
You can only be blest,
And have peace and sweet rest,
As you yield Him your body and soul.”
The Meaning Behind the Song
The song is a reminder to Christians that they need to give their all to God if they want to experience true peace, joy, and fulfillment. It speaks to the idea of surrendering every aspect of our lives to God, including our thoughts, desires, plans, and dreams. Only when we lay everything on the altar can we truly experience the fullness of God’s love and grace.
The song also highlights the importance of the Holy Spirit in our lives. It reminds us that we cannot live the Christian life in our own strength, but we need the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit. When we yield our bodies and souls to God, the Holy Spirit takes control and empowers us to live a life that is pleasing to God.
The Significance of the Altar
The altar is a significant symbol in Christianity. It represents a place of sacrifice and surrender. In the Old Testament, people would offer animal sacrifices on the altar as a way to atone for their sins and seek God’s forgiveness. In the New Testament, Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice for our sins, and the altar now represents a place where we can offer ourselves as living sacrifices to God.
When we come to the altar, we are acknowledging our need for God’s grace and mercy. We are laying down our burdens, our fears, and our doubts, and we are trusting God to take care of us. The altar is a place of transformation, where we can be renewed and refreshed by the power of God’s love.
The Relevance of the Song Today
Despite being written over a century ago, the message of “Is Your All On The Altar” is still relevant today. In a world that is filled with distractions, temptations, and challenges, it’s easy to lose sight of our need for God. We can become so focused on our own desires and ambitions that we forget that God is the source of all true fulfillment.
The song reminds us that we need to continually surrender our lives to God and trust Him to lead us on the right path. It’s a call to put aside our own agendas and submit to God’s will. When we do this, we can experience the joy, peace, and satisfaction that comes from knowing that we are in the hands of a loving and faithful God.
Conclusion
“Is Your All On The Altar” is a timeless hymn that speaks to the heart of what it means to be a follower of Christ. It reminds us that we need to surrender everything to God and trust Him to lead us on the right path. When we do this, we can experience the fullness of God’s love and grace in our lives. May we all be inspired to lay our all on the altar and yield ourselves completely to God.
