The perpetual fire reminds us of the nature of God himself, “for our God is a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:29). It brings to mind Isaiah's questions: “Who of us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who of us can dwell with everlasting burning” (Isa. 33:14). Questions, which if faced, must cause the godless to tremble while “he who walks righteously” bows “with reverence and awe”, mindful that at the heart of the fire there is the acceptable sacrifice.
“The fire must be kept burning.” The servant of the Lord must “fan into flame” the gift of God which is in him (2 Tim. 1:6). He does well to make Charles Wesley's prayer his own:
O thou who camest from above
The pure celestial fire to impart,
Kindle a flame of sacred love
On the mean altar of my heart.
There let it for Thy glory burn
With inextinguishable blaze,
And trembling to its source return
In humble prayer and fervent praise.
Jesus, confirm my heart's desire,
To work, and speak, and think for Thee;
Still let me guard the holy fire,
And still stir up Thy gift in me.
Ready for all Thy perfect will,
My acts of faith and love repeat,
Till death Thy endless mercies seal,
And make the sacrifice complete.
“Fire shall be kept burning continually on the altar; it is not to go out.”
Leviticus 6:13 NASB1995
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