Fire
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." Hebrews 12:28-29 (NIV)
Thanksgiving and reverence go hand in hand. Both show God how we adore Him. The Merriam-Webster.com synonyms for reverence[1] include worship and adore. Part of our worship to God should include being thankful. Thankfulness to God is easy because He has done so much for us, both big and small. One natural process that God created for us is fire.
The verse above calls God a consuming fire. Take a moment to think about all the ways we use fire. I will provide a few examples, and I want you to see how these represent God.
When fire consumes something, it can be used for purification, like how metal workers use fire to burn away impurities. Think about the impurities in our lives that God may need to burn away.
Staying with the metal theme, fire can also be used to forge and shape metal. Think about how God is shaping us to be used in His Kingdom that will never end.
Fire can also be used to provide heat for preparing food or warming our bodies. God provides this element of nature to us because that is who He is, a provider.
The last example is how fire has been used for light. The universe was dark before God spoke light into the world, and God created light. Before electricity, mankind used fire for lighting lanterns to illuminate dark places. The Bible also tells us in John 3:19-21 that light exposes evil deeds.
I am sure you can think of more ways that fire can be used by God and how He can work in our lives. God’s consuming fire is at work in us, shaping us, purifying us, and exposing what needs to change so that we can be built up stronger and better than before we knew Him.
Prayer:
God our Father in Heaven. Glory and praise to Your Holy name. You are awesome and wonderful. Thank you for being a consuming fire in our lives. Shape us and mold us with Your fire. Teach us how to live with a fire inside of us that is from you. May we turn away from any fire that could burn us. Thank You, Lord, for a Kingdom that cannot be shaken. May our faith allow us to see and experience Your Kingdom here on Earth and one day with You in Heaven as we forever worship You. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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