February 18

Keep The Fire Burning

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 27:7-14 | Leviticus 6:1 – 7:27 | Mark 3:7- 30 | Proverbs 10:3-4

Today’s Scripture Focus: Leviticus 6:1 – 7:27

“Give Aaron and his sons this command: ‘These are the regulations for the burnt offering: The burnt offering is to remain on the altar hearth throughout the night, till morning, and the fire must be kept burning on the altar (Leviticus 6:9 NIV). 

The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out (Leviticus 6:13 NIV).  

The aroma of the burnt offering was to go up to God always as a sweet savor to Him. It required the diligent attention of the priest so that it would not go out.

New Testament believers are called to be living sacrifices (Rom 12:1). The transformed life sends up an aroma pleasing to God.  The spiritual passion of our lives requires the same constant attention, as did the continuous burnt offering. Spiritual passion, like fire, tends to go out unless it is attended to regularly.

Spiritual disciplines like prayer, meditation and the study of the Word help to tend the fire. The sacrifice of praise also fuels the passion. These disciplines keep our spiritual passion burning strong.

Fellowship with others who share your passion also keeps the fire burning. You don’t build a fire with one log. You build the fire by having several logs in close proximity. To keep the fire burning brightly you keep adding logs to the fire. So it is with our spiritual passion, it is difficult to remain strong apart from a group of others who will keep you burning bright.

Tend the fire of your spiritual passion–don’t let the fire grow dim.  “The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out.”

O God, Consuming Fire, keep the fire on the altar of my heart burning bright, Help me to always tend the fire and keep it burning strong. May that passion set others ablaze. In fellowship with others with likeminded passion, may the flame intensify and grow. Amen