God’s Presence in Fire (Part 1)
Throughout history, God showed Himself tangibly through things like clouds and fire. Biblically, fire represents communication and direction (Moses and the burning bush,) purifying and refining (separating precious from the worthless), passion and zeal (Jeremiah said the word of God was shut up in his bones like fire), and renewal and power (on the day of Pentecost tongues like fire came to the believers, enabling them to speak in ways they never had before.)
God brought His presence in four types of fire that left people profoundly different than they were before.
1. Directional Fire
2. Purifying Fire
3. Strange Fire (Fake)
4. Empowering Fire
Directional Fire: The most challenging thing about being a Christian isn’t always fighting sin; it’s sensing His direction. In the life of Moses, God used fire to confirm Moses’s call, and to give him direction.
In Exodus 3:1-5 we see Moses on a hill he’d walked countless times, but this night was different. A bush was wildly burning against the night sky yet wasn’t consumed. Moses turns to look at the bush, but notably, doesn't look for God in the bush. We also can get caught looking for the action of God rather than God Himself. From within the bush the Lord speaks to Moses (vs. 10-14) and gives him a plan for the fulfillment of the Lord’s call upon his life.
God’s Directional Plan included:
· Prophetic Promise: He told Moses he’d go back to a land he knew (Egypt) and bring the Hebrews to the land he loved (the place he’d been shepherding sheep.)
· Strong Strategy: God gave Moses a strong strategy for the task he was calling him to complete. (verses 19-22) He tells him that He will bring tests to Pharaoh and will even cause the people of Egypt to hand over their riches to the Israelites before they go.
· A Way to Fight Fear: Through the fire, God’s voice instructed Moses to fight through his fear by knowing God’s name “I AM WHO I AM.”
The purifying fire of God is another way God makes us ready for new assignments and new depths of maturity. The prophet Isaiah went through a purifying season when God was about to use him in a deeper way in a unique timeframe.
In Isaiah 6: 1-7 we see Seraphim angels worshipping God by calling Him holy. These angels are called the “angels of fire” because of their role as purifiers. As Isaiah notices his surroundings and the fact that he’s in the presence of a holy God, he cries out, “I am ruined because of my unclean lips!” The angels take a burning coal with tongs and touch the lips of the prophet. The purifying work has been done, allowing Isaiah to respond when he hears God the Father, the Son, and Spirit wonder, “Who can we send?” He boldly responds, “Here I am…send me.”
Gutsy Faith Fire Challenge:
How does God bring Directional Fire into your life to lead or guide you? This could be in the form of targeted scripture within the Bible, a message you desperately need, or a dream or revelation from God that leads or counsels you. Pay attention to how He is directing you in the next three weeks’ time.
What area of your life needs purifying fire? Are you constantly stumbling in an area such as gossip or negative talk? Is there an obvious or hidden sin you need to deal with? Like Isaiah, allow the Lord’s holy touch to burn out whatever may keep you from Him and the invitation to be sent for His purposes.
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