Today’s Reading, Leviticus 5-7
Focal Scripture: Leviticus 6:13 “Fire must be kept burning on the altar continually; it must not go out.”
I like watching fires. It doesn’t matter if they are in a fire pit or they are controlled burns around town. Fires can start extremely small but turn into something that has a very big impact. One time I was outside burning branches, limbs and pine straw and the fire grew pretty big. It was so big that it caught a limb on a massive oak tree on fire. It was consumed by what was happening underneath it and it changed the makeup of that old tree.
In today’s reading we are told what to expect during the burnt offering. First, the offering was to remain on the altar all night, while the fire never went out. The priest was to wear special clothing and remove the ashes of the burnt offering and place them next to the altar. He then is to change clothes and move the ashes outside the camp to a ceremonially clean place. The priest was to arrange the wood every morning and to make sure the fire never went out. It was to burn continuously.
This fire had a purpose and it was always to be ready for an offering to take place. It also signified that the person making the sacrifice was completely committed to God. They were not half way in with their faith. Nothing would stop them from being obedient to the Lord and his commands.
Just like the fire that caught that old oak limb on fire and burned hot for a long time. The commitment that we have as individuals should burn hotter and longer than any fire that ever existed. The priest had to make sure the fire was continually going every day and every night. His job showed commitment to the Lord and his mission. Our job as believers is to be totally committed to the Lord and make sure it never goes out.
So what about you? Does your faith burn hot? Not just hot, but continually forever? Our faith should be just like this fire. When people see it they should notice that we are totally committed to the Lord. Our faith should be so hot it gets people’s attention. Our faith should be so consistent people know that it will never die out, regardless of what happens around us everyday.
I hope and pray that your faith can be compared to a fire that never goes out. A powerful faith, a noticeable faith. A faith that can bring warmth but also rage with ferocity. That type of faith and commitment makes an eternal impact.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Leviticus 8-10
