“A fire shall always be burning on the altar; it shall never go out.” (Leviticus 6:13).
Fires can go out for a number of reasons such as lack of oxygen or lack of fuel. God had commanded Moses to make sure the priests kept wood burning on the altar of burnt offering every morning to make sure the fire on it did not go out (Leviticus 6:12). On this altar was to be sacrificed the various offerings of the children of Israel.
As Christians, we are to present our bodies as living sacrifices to the Lord (Romans 12:1-2). As a Christian do you ever struggle with your fire going out so that you are unable to be an effective living sacrifice for God? I do. The trials of life, the struggles with temptations, discouragements from my own weaknesses and the weaknesses of others, and failure to receive encouragement from my brethren can, at times, quench the fire that should be burning in me to serve the Lord.
This is nothing new. Christians have always had to face the challenge of not letting their fires go out. The Hebrew writer speaks about the need for endurance (Hebrews 10:36). Paul told the Christians at Galatia not to grow weary while doing good (Galatians 6:9). Although I have not said it enough, I appreciate my brethren in Christ for their faithful endurance in serving the Lord. It is a great encouragement to me to see my fellow soldiers of the cross continuing to maintain their fires in serving the Lord.
Taking time each day to study God’s Word and pray is a great way to make sure your fire does not go out in serving the Lord. It is literally like adding fuel to your fire. Also, taking time to encourage others for their faithful service to God is another way to help add additional oxygen to other Christian’s fires. May God bless all of you as you strive to keep your fires burning for Him!
“My soul melts from heaviness; strengthen me according to Your word” (Psalm 119:28)