Leviticus 6:12: “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”.
Fire is a combustion process and to keep the fire going there must be a sufficient supply of fuel (wood) and oxygen (airflow). The logs must be arranged with enough space to allow oxygen flow and heat circulation.
In the tabernacle of Moses, on the brazen altar, the fire had to be kept burning continuously. It was the responsibility of the priest to keep the fire burning continuously and they had to add new firewood every morning to ensure that the fire burns continuously. The fat from the offering was burnt on it.
Typologically, fire burning on the altar continuously was a constant reminder of the “Presence & Power of God”. As we submit and surrender ourselves as living sacrifices the fire anointing will keep burning bright continuously in and through us. As it was the responsibility of the priests to keep the fire burning on the altar, we, His priests, must keep the fire of God’s presence burning within us.
The Fire on the Altar:
1. Thoughts: Thoughts of righteousness, forgiveness and compassion increase the fire anointing. The priest must remove the ashes of the previous day and add new firewood every morning. Similarly, we must remove the ashes of disappointment, animosity or bitterness to keep the fire of God’s presence burning bright.
2. Tongue: Uncontrolled fire is destructive but controlled fire is incredibly useful. Likewise, a ‘controlled tongue’ is wise and gentle but an ‘uncontrolled tongue’ is disparaging and damaging. Unnecessary and futile words will drain away anointing. The fire of God’s presence will be quenched in those who have no control over their tongue.
3. Task: As the priest arranged the firewood every morning, we must surrender and rearrange our lives to walk closely and continuously with the Lord. A subservient lifestyle to the Lord is the fuel that keeps the fire of God’s presence burning continuously in us.
As the priests of the Lord, it is our responsibility to keep the fire of God’s presence burning in our hearts.
Prayer: Holy Father, Let your fire fall afresh on me and help me to keep the fire anointing glowing continuously. Amen.
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