40 DAYS VIGIL WITH PRAYER AND FASTING FROM 29TH APRIL OVER 7TH JUNE, 2020
THEME: “MY GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE” HEBREWS 12:29.
DAY 1
Wednesday 29th April, 2020.
Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-29
Topic:- The Meaning of God as A Consuming Fire
Text: – Hebrews 12:29
What does the Bible mean when it calls God a consuming fire? The Bible sometimes refers to God as a “consuming fire.” What does this mean?
The first time this concept is introduced is found in Deuteronomy 4:24: “For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.”
Here, the idea of “consuming fire” stands alongside God’s jealousy. The context of the chapter deals with God’s command not to worship other gods. Only the Lord was to be worshiped. He would not tolerate worship of others; He was a “consuming fire” in the sense that He desired all of the worship of the Israelites.
Deuteronomy 9:3 also refers to the Lord as a “consuming fire.” In this context, God would serve as a consuming fire to destroy Israel’s enemies. The idea is that of a wildfire that would destroy those who opposed God’s people.
Isaiah 33:14 would later refer to the “consuming fire” of God’s wrath in judgment. In this case, the term was not mentioned with God as a consuming fire, but rather spoke of His actions to judge sin. Another reference to judgment. See Isaiah 30:27.
In the New Testament, Hebrews 12:28-29 provides a perspective on this issue as well. This passage refers to God’s “consuming fire” as a reason for reverent worship. Believers will receive an eternal kingdom and are to offer devoted worship.
Throughout Scripture, fire also often holds the general idea of purifying or of judgment at various times. Jesus even used the idea of “eternal fire” on two occasions in stories related to judgment upon unbelievers. See Matthew 18:8; 25:41.
The Lord also rained down fire from the sky in judgment upon Sodom and Gomorrah. See Genesis 19:24. Fire served as part of offering the sacrifices of the Old Testament. Moses encountered God in a burning bush consumed by fire. See Exodus 3.
Fire came as a judgment upon the Egyptians. See Exodus 9:23-24. Yet the Lord also led the people of Israel by fire at night in the wilderness. See Exodus 13:22. The concept of God as a consuming fire includes both the idea of God’s jealous, holy nature and His judgment upon those who oppose Him. Used in more than one way in the Bible, the overall idea is one of power, both positively in the sense of deserving worship and negatively in punishing those who oppose Him.
Prayer Points:
1. Oh God the consuming fire, I thank You for me and always be my saviour, in the name of Jesus Christ.
2. Oh God the consuming fire, consume sin that is still operating in my life by Your fire, in the name of Jesus Christ.
3. Oh God the consuming fire, judge sins that are confronting me to fall by Your fire now, in the name of Jesus Christ.
4. Oh God the consuming fire, purify my life henceforth by Your fire, in the name of Jesus Christ.
5. I soak my blood, bones and flesh in the wonder working power of the blood of Jesus, in the name of Jesus Christ.
6. I barricade my body from every invasion by disease germs, in the name of Jesus Christ.
7. Holy Ghost fire, burn all disease deposits in my body to ashes, in the name of Jesus Christ.
Happy Fasting!
