"The sinners in Zion are afraid; trembling has seized the godless; 'Who among us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who among us can dwell with the everlasting burnings?' " The question is similar to the one posed by the people when they first gathered around Mount Sinai. They all witnessed God descend on the mountain in power and glory. The entire mountain appeared to be on fire, and the valley shook at the voice of God. The wicked rabble wondered if they would all be destroyed by this righteous, all-consuming, fire God. The sinners in Isaiah are right to be terrified, to tremble at the idea of coming into the presence of God. But you know who doesn't need to be fearful? Those who have faith in God do not need to shake in the presence of the all-consuming fire. We approach him with reverence and awe, to be sure, but not with fear. We have been covered in his grace and mercy, the beneficiaries of the righteousness supplied to us by faith in Christ. We can dwell in the refining beauty of the fire of God. I love this text, and I remember the texts I've listed below every time I come to it.