“Remember, the fire must be kept burning on the altar at all times. It must never go out” (Leviticus 6:13 NLT).
Aaron and his sons were commanded to always keep the fire burning on the altar in the Tabernacle. This fire was the divinely appointed symbol of their uninterrupted worship of Yahweh. As such, they were to never let the fire of their worship of Yahweh be suspended. Keeping a perpetual fire showed their constant love and worship of God.
When Timothy expressed his discouragement and fear to Paul, he was told to stir up the fire of his calling. Paul wrote, “This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you” (2 Tim. 1:6). In other words, he told him it was his responsibility to maintain the fire of his passion for ministry. How did Paul instruct him to do this? By remembering his calling and remembering that all he needed to get the fires of his passion burning bright again could be found in the Lord. Paul wrote, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Tim. 1:7).
When David was down, he “encouraged himself in the Lord” (1 Sam. 30:6). So can we. With the Spirit’s help, we can keep the flames of our love and worship of God by giving daily attention to them.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we often believe that our passion is a fickle thing beyond our control, but You teach us to keep the fires burning. Lord, when we are discouraged, remind us that You are the source of our love, power and wisdom. Help us to fan the flames of our calling and passion for you. In Jesus’ name, amen.