Last week, we

learned about the powerful reality of God’s promise to be with us.  We learned from Daniel and his buddies that

when God is with us, even though we will still go through the fires of life,

that we can escape them without even smelling like the smoke surrounding

us!  We even saw a literal, physical

example of how true this promise really is!

With the Holy Spirit

within us, we can confidently proceed through whatever life throws our way

knowing that God is with us and for us. 

Even as Daniel proclaimed just before being cast in that fiery furnace:

Daniel 3:17-18

17 If we are thrown

into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and

he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we

want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the

image of gold you have set up.

Of course, we know

that they were not exactly delivered from the fire, but that Jesus accompanied

them through the fire and spared them from the dangers of it.

Today, we are

learning about another fire.  Not the

hazardous and destructive troubles of life type of fire, but a fire that forges

great things, burns away impurities, and stirs up zeal and passion that spreads

rapidly.  The fire that we’re learning

about today is the fire of God!

Deuteronomy 4:24

For the Lord your

God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.

God is an all

consuming fire. 

Natural fire can

serve many good purposes.  When contained

within a box with air blown over it, it is able to heat an entire building

through even the coldest of winders. 

When contained within a box along with raw food, it cooks delicious

meals.  When a wildfire runs rampant

destroying forests and homes, a controlled fire placed ahead of its path is

able to stop it in its tracks.

You can literally

fight fire with fire!

When fire begins in

unexpected places, it can be extremely destructive.  A home standing for decades can be destroyed

in a matter of minutes.  As Smokey the

Bear teaches us, just a small spark can begin that raging wildfire mentioned

previously destroying thousands of acres of land.  Actually, the book of James mentions this

destructive force as well.

James 3:5b

Consider what a

great forest is set on fire by a small spark.

The fire of God is

no different.  It can be both destructive

and beneficial. 

The fire of God fell

and destroyed Job’s sheep and servants. 

The fire of God fell and consumed 2 of King Ahaziah’s captains and 100

members of his military.  250 people were

consumed by His fire when complaining against their leaders followed by 14,700

killed by a plague.

Aaron’s sons were

destroyed by the fire of God because they brought to His altar unauthorized

fire, because it was introduced contrary to His command.  Several times, His fire destroyed His own

city and people because of their rebellion. 

In the end of days:

2 Peter 3:10

But the day of the

Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the

elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it

will be laid bare.

However, when that

same fire of God is appropriately contained, the benefits are amazing!  For example, God’s fire burned a bush, but

did not consume it, to get Moses’ attention and proclaim his destiny from it.  Fire grabs people’s attention for sure still

today!  In fact, God also still speaks

through His fire today!

Let’s take a look at

the comparison of the fire of God experienced in the Old Covenant on through to

the New Covenant.  We begin just after

the ten commandments are given to God’s people after they are lead out of Egyptian

slavery.

Deuteronomy 5:22-27

22 These are the

commandments the Lord proclaimed in a loud voice to your whole assembly there

on the mountain from out of the fire, the cloud and the deep darkness; and he

added nothing more. Then he wrote them on two stone tablets and gave them to

me.

23 When you heard

the voi