DAILY DEVOTION No 38

                            KEEP THE FIRE BURNING  

2 Chronicles 29:7 - "They have also shut up the doors of the vestibule, put out the lamp, and have not burned incense or offered burnt offerings in the holy place to the God of Israel."

Analogy - We can shut out the Lord from our hearts and allow the fire of the Spirit to be diminished. We can also keep back the incense of worship and not offer ourselves as living sacrifices. The oil might still be there but we have allowed the flame to go out ourselves. God's fire brings the revelation of His person and this leads to worship.

Herbert Jackson told the story that as a new missionary he was assigned a car that would not start without a push. After pondering His problem, he devised a plan. He went to the school near his home, got permission to take some children out of class, and had them push his car off. As he made his rounds, he would either park on a hill or leave his car running. He used this ingenious procedure for two years.

Ill health forced the Jackson family to leave, and a new missionary came to that station. When Jackson proudly began to explain his arrangement for getting the car started, the new man began looking under the bonnet.  Before the explanation was complete, the new missionary interrupted,  "Why Dr Jackson, I believe the only trouble is this loose cable."  He gave the cable a twist, stepped into the car, turned the ignition and to Jackson's astonishment, the engine roared to life. For two years needless trouble had become routine. The power was there all the time. Only a loose connection kept Jackson from putting the power to work.

In Verse 11 we read, "My sons do not be negligent now, for the Lord has chosen you to stand before Him, to serve Him and that you should Minister to Him and burn incense." We have been chosen as a royal priesthood to serve and minister unto the Lord with spiritual sacrifices.

The Anointing

Cherish the anointing and most of all, cherish His presence. Continually stir up the gift that is in us (2 Timothy 1:6). Don’t operate in your own strength but constantly seek the anointing of the Spirit of God. It is not by our own might or power that great things are accomplished, but by the Spirit of God that is in us. Be able to distinguish between a soul anointing and a spirit anointing. Some songs bring an anointing that touches the soul rather than touching our spirit. A soul anointing will only satisfy the emotions, but this is of no lasting value. Even worldly musicians will play with such skill and excellence that it will touch and satisfy the emotions and be hard to distinguish the difference. When we are playing an instrument or singing for God’s glory, we must combine skill with anointing.

Prayer

Lord, help me to constantly have a passion for your presence. Help me to keep the fire of your Spirit burning in my life.