"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire." -Hebrews 12:28,29
There are so many things in my life that bring me joy but that leads to the temptation to seek lasting happiness in these things. It could be anything: sports, money, food, clothes, family, friends, etc. But it doesn't take long for all these things & people in life to let you down. Basketball used to be the god of my life but that is a hard god to serve because you go up & down with every game or performance. Money is a lot of people's god, whether they have lots of it or little, but we all know money doesn't buy happiness & Proverbs 23:5 tells us that wealth has wings and can easily fly off. So many rich people are miserable because they sacrifice everything to get another dollar, do you really believe you were put on this earth to pursue paper? The same goes for all the other things I listed or that you can think of.
All these things are a blessing and good in their rightful place but not as our driving force in life. If these things consume your mind & life above the God who gave you life then it has OFFICIALLY became an idol or god in your life. This can happen to you, me, a pastor, a president, anyone. Building our lives on and around these things are foolish because they are unstable, uncertain and shakeable. What we seek in them is lasting joy, lasting peace and meaningful purpose but how can we receive LASTING from that which is TEMPORAL?? It is impossible, but the eternal God who has no beginning & no end satisfies our every desire. "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." -Ps. 16:11. In God we have a deep and authentic peace & joy that cannot be shaken or taken from us. How many people do you know who would give up just about anything or any amount of money to just have authentic peace in their heart & life? You cannot buy that & thankfully God offers it freely through faith in Christ. His kingdom is unshakable & his gifts are irrevocable.
Christians can taste this truth and we worship God knowing this. With reverence the verse above states, "God is a consuming fire." This certainly references to God's holiness & purity that should cause us to tremble as sinners before him. But God is so gracious to the worst of the worst and shows mercy to the those who humble themselves and seek his love. God's holiness will consume all those who live in unrepentant sin but on the flip side God's love will consume all those who lay down their pride & sin at the cross of Christ. God is to be respectfully feared but passionately loved. God is a consuming fire of my guilt, my shame, my sin, my flaws, my fears, my pride, my anxiety. I pray you will be in awe & consumed by God.
