Jul 27 – The Fire on the Altar!

“A fire shall always be burning on the altar; it shall never go out.” (Leviticus 6:13)

In the Old Testament, the altar was the place where worshippers met with God. As sacrifices were offered upon the altar as burnt offerings to the Lord, God received their pleasing aroma. In His delight, He came down in the flame of the altar and communed with His people.

In the New Testament, you yourselves are God’s altar. Your spirit, soul, and body are to be presented to Him as His altar. Offer yourself completely as a living sacrifice. Then the fire of God will descend upon the altar of your heart.

In the Old Testament, altars were built in three different ways. First, some were made of earth. Second, some were built with whole stones that had not been cut by human tools. Third, the altar in the Tabernacle was made of acacia wood and overlaid with bronze.

The altar made of earth represents our physical body. (Psalm 103:14) The altar built of stones symbolizes our soul. The altar made of wood and covered with bronze represents our spirit.

Today the Lord is saying: “My child, present your spirit, soul, and body upon My altar. Surrender yourself completely to Me. Today I desire to place heavenly fire upon you. I want to fill you with My fire and pour out My anointing upon you without measure. You are to burn brightly for Me, and the fire I place within you must never be allowed to go out.”

The fire of the Holy Spirit that the Lord gives is precious beyond measure. Many fail to recognize its value and consequently lose it. Speaking of the church of Laodicea, the Lord said with grief: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” (Revelation 3:15–16)

God’s people, who are called to be aflame with His presence, must never become lukewarm. We must not be like a dimly burning wick. Neither should we resemble the foolish virgins whose lamps had gone out. The fire must continue to burn brightly. Speaking of the virtuous woman, Scripture says: “Her lamp does not go out by night.” (Proverbs 31:18)

Children of God, even through the night seasons of life, may the love of the Lord and a fervent spirit of prayer continue to burn within your hearts like a holy fire.

Verse for further meditation: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1)