January 31 / Leviticus 6:8-9:24

Leviticus 6:8-9:24

Fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually; it shall not go out.

Leviticus 6:13

Keep the fire burning. That’s a fairly straightforward and practical command. But let’s think about what it entails in real terms. First, we need wood for fuel, preferably dry and decently trimmed to facilitate handling. That means gathering, chopping, stacking, maybe covering the wood to keep it dry — a fair amount of work well before the wood reaches the fire. Once the wood is on the fire, it needs to be tended and stoked. And additional wood must be placed on the fire periodically to keep it going, over and over again. All in all, this simple command requires preparation, vigilance, and continual effort, day in and day out.

Now suppose for a moment that this altar fire is your life with Christ. How do you keep that fire going? It takes effort. It takes diligence. It takes dedication. It’s daily prayer, Bible reading, and study. (RTB!) It’s not a one-time “flash” of repentance. It’s an ongoing process, day in and day out.

Keep your fire burning.