Fire on the Altar

"One Year Bible" Old Testament History Passage
Leviticus 6:1-7:27

¹² And the fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it; it shall not be put out. And the priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and lay the burnt offering in order on it; and he shall burn on it the fat of the peace offerings. ¹³ A fire shall always be burning on the altar; it shall never go out.  Levticus 6:12-13 (NKJV)

As Moses instructed the priests to conduct the ministries of the tabernacle, occasionally he added important special instructions.  This is one such instruction. 

All these Old Testament rituals point toward our relationship with God today.  Romans 12:1 states that we are to present our bodies as a "living sacrifice" to God -- this is WORSHIP.  In this Old Testament passage, the altar of sacrifice is described.  Here's the instruction:  KEEP FIRE ON THE ALTAR.

The New Testament altar is our own hearts.  God says to us today: "KEEP FIRE ON THE ALTAR OF YOUR HEART.  Don't let it go out."  Satan's strategy against all of us is to douse the flames of passion and power that should always be glowing in the center of our being.

This instruction applies to all of our life in God.  Don't let the fire go out in your relationship with God.  Don't let the fire go out in your relationship with your spouse.  Don't let the fire go out in your relationship with friends in the Body of Christ. 

DON'T LET THE FIRE GO OUT.  Stoke it.  Nourish it.  This was one of the most important responsibilities of the priesthood.

Paul echoes this in his words to Timothy many years later:  For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. II Timothy 1:7 (NIV)