Today's writing, "FIRE!" takes a look at different aspects of fire and how it is used. There are many Bible verses referenced for those who want to take a deeper look, but by no means is it all-inclusive. May your heart burn with a desire to know God more deeply!
Blessings,
Jan
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Today's Devotional:
"FIRE!"
by
Jan Andersen
What do we think of when we hear the word fire? It might bring images of something burning down, being destroyed. It could bring thoughts of a forge where metal is formed into something useful or refined and cleansed from impurities, or a furnace that provides needed heat. Or it could just remind us of summer!
There are various references about God and fire in the Bible. Sometimes fire represents His powerful glory or holiness. God appeared to Abram as a smoking fire pot with a flaming torch and passed between the halves of the sacrificed animals (Gen. 15:17). This signified His powerful promise for Abram’s descendants to receive the land of the covenant. God appeared and spoke to Moses in a burning bush that was not consumed (Ex 3:2). Moses was in awe of God's glory. God later led His people by night as a pillar of fire (Ex. 13:21). That fire provided them light and protected them on their path. Mount Sinai was covered in fire and smoke as God spoke with Moses so that the Israelites could hear Him and trust Moses (Ex 19:9-19). The people trembled at His power and glory. Daniel had a vision of God on a throne in flames with a river of fire flowing from it (Dan. 7:9) signifying great holiness.
God’s fire is also seen as purifying. He is compared to a refiner and purifier of silver, who uses fire to burn up impurities (Mal. 3:2-4). Similarly, God makes us more pure and stronger with his fire. God says He will refine those whom He saves by putting them through the fire to purify them, like refining silver and testing gold (Zech.13:9). In this way He will call us his people and we will call Him our God.
Another theme of God with fire is judgment against His foes. Those who fight against God and His people are destroyed by fire in many places in the Bible. Isaiah prophesies about hope for those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and judgment by fire and sword for those who do evil, who are his foes (Is. 66:15-16). Again in Psalm 50 God will deliver the blameless but destroy the wicked with fire and storm (Ps. 50:3-4). David says he called to God and was rescued as He scattered the enemy with fire, lightening and arrows (2 Samuel 22:8-16). John the Baptist baptized with water, but he said that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire (Matt.3:11-12; Luke 3:16-17). He describes Jesus as gathering his wheat (faithful people) into the barn (heaven) and the unwanted chaff (unbelievers) would be burned off by unquenchable fire.
But for those who are faithful, God’s fire is a consuming fire of possessive love. He wants to be our whole life. He is a jealous God who demands we worship Him alone. It is because He loves us so much that He insists we not follow false gods, so we can be with Him forever. He desires our total reverence and pure awe both here and in heaven.
Hebrews 12:28-29 NIV Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”
Dear Father in heaven, thank you for your fire of glory, refinement and love for us. We worship you alone with great reverence and awe. Your refining fire purifies our lives, because we cannot make ourselves holy in your sight. Only You can do that through the sacrificing love of your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to remain faithful, because You are a jealous God and want us to be with you forever. This is also our heart’s desire! In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
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Song:
ALL CONSUMING FIRE
by Kent Henry
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Prayers are lifted up daily for you by the Devotional Writers and the Monthly Writing Staff of Women's Focus Ministries
Blog writers:
Sandy Billingham, Karen Bennett,
Brother Thomas Ukwute, Jody Ward,
Bre Miller, Lynda Kinnard, Amie Spruiell,
Debbie Rodriguez, Carol Steficek,
Jan Andersen and Corinne Mustafa
Fire often times is seen as a negative, but God used fire for so many reasons. He talked to Moses in the burning bush, he used fire to light the way for the Israelites. God bless us as we look to God, and thank Him to His uses of things we know as common in this life. I just love your posts Jan. Simplicity and truth is a great combination. With prayers for you.
ReplyDeleteJan I love how you take a topic (such as fire) and share the meat of the topic which results in enhanced understanding of God's word and thoughts about that topic.
ReplyDeleteThank you and God bless
Corinne