Read Leviticus 6:8-13

“A fire shall always be burning on the altar; it shall never go out.” (Leviticus 6:13)

Behold! — what grace is shown by our God even in the Old Covenant Law that the Altar of God’s holy fire was never to be put out. On this Altar the children of Israel would offer many different kinds of sacrifices and offerings — some for atonement, some for guilt, and some for worship. But how could they ever be confident that God would accept their sacrifices if they did not know when the fires of God were ready to receive it? This was not a problem, for the fire shall always be burning!

Beloved, from this simple insight we may draw out two wonderful truths.

First, we may conclude that God made constant availability for man to come to Him. The fire was always burning which meant that God was always communing. There was no time of day or time of night that the fires of the altar were not ablaze. If you wanted to worship, it's granted. If you needed atonement, it’s available. If you required restoration, it’s accessible.

If this is the promise of the Old Covenant, how much more do the promises of God rest upon our souls in the Better Covenant whose High Priest is the Lord Jesus Christ? But let us not stop at the Altar, but move boldly into the very throne room of God to ask for help in time of need. (see Hebrews 4:16). We may even walk into the the Most Holy Place as priests of our God.

“Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Hebrews 10:19–22)

Second, observe the great care with which the priests were to attend to this holy fire on the altar. The coals of the altar were to receive constant care by the priests. A lazy priesthood would bring disaster upon themselves and the people if they were not attentive to stoking the fires of the Altar. Without fire, how could they worship? Without fire, how would they offer sacrifices for sin? It would be a tragedy, indeed.

And yet, what an admonition for us today who have the holy fire of God burning within our souls. Our hearts must be continually burning with devotion for our Lord Jesus and the coals of our faith must be attended to so they do not burn out! Even Paul had to tell Pastor Timothy:

“Stir up the gift of God which is in you!” (2 Timothy 1:6)

Therefore, dear church, stoke that fire! Stir it up and let the flames burn hot and bright! The same tongues of fire that rested on the heads of the apostles in the first century must continue to burn in our lives for the glory of God today. There is nothing quite like being inflamed by divine fire!

Beloved, do you need to fan into flame the fire of your devotion? By the grace of God, there is always a hot coal on the altar of your heart ready to be ignited, and it can blaze once again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Just ask in humble request, and the flames from heaven will come down and kindle your inner being by God’s glorious grace —

“For our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:29)