Keep the Fire Burning

"The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add firewood and arrange the burnt offering on the fire and burn the fat of the fellowship offerings on it. The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out." (Leviticus 6: 12-13)

As we are progressing in Leviticus, I can't help but ask, "Why all these rules and regulations? It seems so complicated". Can you imagine today's society having to follow the Levitical law, when so many of us cannot even follow Ten Commandments?! I think about "Life's Little Instruction Book". The Israelites would have had a "large" instruction book to carry with them. How else would they remember all that? :)

The priests had many responsibilities, with one of them being to keep the fire on the altar burning. I remember growing up, we had a wood stove for several years; John and I used to have a wood-burning insert in the fireplace where we lived in Lexington. It was someone's responsibility to keep the fire going in the winter time. Most of the time, Dad or John would take care of that chore. But, I have had my share of adding firewood as well. It was always great to have plenty of hot coals there to work with. But, allow it to die down, and some mornings there might be just a spark.

That's how it is with the fire within our hearts. The Holy Spirit ignited the flame. It's now up to us to keep the fire alive. Oh, we can listen to our pastor (or priest), and they can help to "fuel the flame", but if we don't nurture it daily, the fire will begin to die down. And, all we'll have left are ashes.

God, kindle the flames within our hearts. May we burn with passion in our love for you and your Kingdom. May we daily add "fuel to our fires", allowing the Holy Spirit to burn. Amen!