Burning but Flourishing
“Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?” (Isaiah 33:14)
March 5
Isaiah has asked us a question that must be carefully considered. Challenging the self-righteous, Christ asked the accusers of the adulterous woman something quite similar, “Whoever among you is without sin cast the first stone.” (John 8:7) Sulking in shame we turn our eyes away without any possible rebuttal in acceptance of our unworthiness. Every stone was dropped from their hands before the all-seeing eyes of Christ through the effective conviction of the Holy Spirit upon their hearts. Where then is the hope of reconciliation, for is not our God an all-consuming fire of Holiness? Our hope is not founded within ourselves, or what we have accomplished, but upon Him whom has already passed through the fire for us. He is our judge, our lawgiver, our King and He has become our Savior. Our relationship with the Almighty has been established based on His credentials not upon our own. It is precisely because He is our Lord and King that He has become our Savior. His saving work at the cross allows us to be embraced without being consumed. These two realities of our relationship with God, as Lord and Savior are inseparable. The burning bush that was presented to Moses, though it was engulfed in the flame, it was not burned or consumed in the slightest degree because the presence of God was there. Daniel’s friends passed through the fire without even the scent of the smoke clinging to them, for the Son of God walked among the fire with them. If we are abiding with Christ, we have no need to fear the fire of judgment of the flames of tribulation, for our hearts have been perfected in His love and are preserved by His presence. If we have recognized the power and Holiness of God in His rightful place upon the throne of judgement over the universe as King, we are prepared to embrace His saving presence in the furnace of our afflictions. We can dwell with Him here without being consumed only because He abides with us. The fiery trials of life enlighten our understanding that the current form of this world is passing away along with the lust of it, yet this unquenchable flame of love for our worthy King will never be snuffed out. The Irish Presbyterian Church has long held this symbol of the burning bush as their emblem with these words inscribed, “ardens sed virens”, meaning “burning but flourishing”.1 Though we pass through the fire, if we walk with the Son of God, our faith may still flourish.
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