Trusted ... with the flame, in the flame

'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

The verse points to a time in the history of the Israelite people when the priest were charged with interceding on behalf of the people, ensuring that the flame on the altar was never extinguished.

Well we now have direct access to the LORD because of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We may enter the throne room boldly and pursue our individual relationship with God. We have been made kings and priest (Rev. 1:4-6).

Yet the charge remains the same for us not to allow the flame of our passion and commitment to burn out. We have been entrusted with that responsibility. Trusted with the flame …

This ties directly into a conversation I had on Friday regarding our willingness to serve God by serving others. You see, we were talking about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (the three Hebrew men who were tossed into the fire because of their refusal to bow to Nebuchadnezzar’s idol). In that discussion, I was sharing what God spoke to me regarding that text several years ago. Of note was the fact that it states what the king and the onlookers saw. “Look!” he [Nebuchadnezzar] answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” (Dan. 3:25)

I went on to share what God had asked me all those years ago and what He continues to ask me:

‘Will you stay in the fire long enough for someone else to see Jesus?’

Trusted in the flames …

I shared with my two acquaintances the fact that some of the fiery trials one faces are not because they have done something wrong but because they have done something right. I noted how the king and the onlookers would not have seen Jesus if the LORD had kept these faithful men from the fire , neither if He had immediately pulled them out. No, He allowed His servants to walk in the midst of the fire – giving the onlookers the opportunity to see that they were not being consumed, to see Who was walking with them, to catch a glimpse of Jesus.        

Those who have demonstrated an ability to be trusted with the flame can likewise be trusted in the flames.

Are you fanning the fire of your passion for Christ?

Are you willing to stay in the fire long enough for someone else to see Jesus Christ?

Can you be trusted … with the flame, in the flames?