Consuming Fire
By Peter Crause
Deut
One of the greatest
discoveries early men made was the usefulness and need for fire. For a moment
just think what the world and our society would be like without fire.
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We would have no
means to get heat when cold
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We wouldn’t have
light and illumination
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We would have no
means of cooking food
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We would have no
means of utterly destroying garbage
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We wouldn’t have
the internal combustion engine – no cars (which may be a good thing!)
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We would be sadly
lacking in the ability to destroy bacteria and disease
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We couldn’t
purify metals such as gold and iron for our use
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We couldn’t melt
metals to make castings and produce items of use
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In fact the world
wouldn’t exist – our sun is a ball of fire
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And I’m sure
there are many other things we could add to this list
The word “Fire” is used
figuratively to indicate ardor or zeal. “Fire and fiery” may also describe
trials. It may be used to describe one’s temper. Fire is the means the Lord
will use someday to destroy the old world system and bring about a renovation
of the earth. Fire can be used for both good and evil.
Our scripture describes God
as a “consuming fire.” On
The LORD our God is a consuming fire!
How does this impact us? What
is the importance of this to us? Is this important to us? Some may even say “So
what?” I’m saved – I have “fire
insurance.”
Firstly let me say; knowing
God as a “consuming fire” should strike a measure of awe and fear to our
hearts. Thinking of the final destination of those who reject God’s offer of
salvation; the fire of eternal torment is something that should cause us to
fear for those lost. It should motivate us to seek and save them – plucking
brands from a burning fire.
Secondly, it should also
motivate us to godliness and purity – fire hurts! Knowing God as a “consuming
fire” should make us aware of the fact that there are some things in our lives
that need to be “burned up” to reveal the true treasure within. This is the
crux of our present meditation. With a view to what the end-product can and
will be, we can and should request more and yet more of God’s consuming fire in
our lives.
What are some things in our
lives that need to be consumed by fire? What things need “purifying” by fire to
make us the kind of people that we ought to be? What “wood, hay and stubble” is
in our lives that tarnishes and hides the “gold, silver and precious stones?”
What attitudes and habits tarnish our testimony and give cause for despair so
often? What “rust and moths” corrupt the treasure we have in “earthen vessels?”
These are some of the things
we need the “fire of God” to burn up!
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Selfish ambition
and pride
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Wrong and sinful
motivations
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Prejudice, envy,
jealousy
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Apathy and
indifference to the needs of others
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Focusing on
carnal pursuits and not on spiritual realities
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Being miserly in
sharing what the Lord has graciously freely given – in every area
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Coldness and
loveless towards God and man
Lord; even though it may hurt – give us more of your
consuming fire to make us more like you!
How the Lord applies that
fire is His concern. I cannot presume to say what it may be – but what is
important is the effectiveness of
the fire. How we need to be “burned up”
so all that remains is Jesus. How we need the unclouded vision of Jesus to be
presented to the world – lifting Jesus high so ALL MEN can be drawn to Him.
Are you willing to have the “consuming fire” do its work in your
life? Do you desire for the beauty of our Lord God to be upon you? Don’t fear
the fire. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego when cast into Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery
furnace for refusing to bow to the idol; resulted in their bonds being burned
off - without any physical harm to themselves. God is not in the business of
harming us, but everything He does to and for us is for our benefit and His
glory. Don’t think it strange when we have the consuming fire upon us; God is
at work molding and transforming us into His Image!