Keep the Fires Burning

“Fire must be kept burning on the altar continually; it must not go out.” (Leviticus 6:13 CSB)

Offerings given to the Lord in the worship of Israel were placed on the altar of fire. Part of the symbolism of this worship expression is the totality of the giving. An offering given by fire could not be taken back, and, therefore, it was totally given over to God. The offering itself was symbolic of the worshiper. The idea is simply that the worshiper giving the offering is also totally given over to God.

The fire of the altar was to be kept burning continually, even when the Israelites were moving from one place to another. That suggests a couple of truths. First, fire was symbolic of the Lord’s presence with Israel, and thus it was imperative that the altar fire remain constant. Second, this suggests that those who are leaders have the responsibility to keep the worship of the Lord foremost in the minds of God’s people.

The people of God need to know that God is with them constantly, that He will never abandon them or forsake them. His presence and love and warmth is a constant, and our security is to be found in that fact. The way we come to this realization is through worship, and worship is to be constant on our part. While we may engage in worship on a regular basis corporately as a church, we worship individually on a daily basis. Individual worship is the basis for all worship. And beyond this, worship is a fundamental, foundational attitude of heart and mind which, when constant, will bless us and turn our hearts toward joy. That is the whole idea of worship. God’s intent in worship has always been to build us up by means of our communion with Him.

Father, We recognize Your constant presence with us and in us through the Holy Spirit, and we give ourselves to You wholly in worship today and each day, and moment to moment. May our lives express our worship of You. Amen.