Genesis 21:32-34: Trees and Altars

Thus they made a covenant at Beersheba. So Abimelech rose with Phichol, the commander of his army, and they returned to the land of the Philistines. Then Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there called on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God. And Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines many days.
Genesis 21:32-34

Abraham understood the importance of setting up altars to the Lord at significant moments in his journey. At this point in the road Sodom has been destroyed, Isaac the promised son has been born, and he has again moved around the wilderness. It is during key moments though, Abraham sets up for himself reminders of what the Lord has been doing in his life.

It is important for us also to set up memorials in our journey with the Lord, reminders of who He is and what He has done. Abraham did not have the social media websites or the ability to take pictures of life events. There is no scrap book of baby Isaac photos. But I know he wanted to remember all these important things. So we see him plant trees, built piles of rocks, making places to remember what God is doing in Him. Because God is an everlasting God, who walks us through life and continues to move in us every moment.

Everyone has a different way of communicating with God and remembering the things He has done. Artists might paint or draw events of significance. Writers will write stories or journal. Engineers might launch rockets. No matter what way you do it, pause and celebrate His work in your life. As you go through the rocky times you can look back at those moments, those trees planted in the past and remember the goodness of the everlasting Father!