Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

“Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be thankful, through which let us serve God acceptably, with awe and reverence. For indeed our God is a consuming fire.“

Hebrews 12:29

Fire. In the desert Adonai Elohim INHABITED it. “And during the morning watch, Yahweh looked down to the Egyptian camp from in the column of fire and cloud, and he threw the Egyptian camp into a panic” (Exodus 14:24). In the city, He manifested in twisting fire whirls that surrounded, but did not consume the believers He came to inhabit. “And divided tongues like fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them ability to speak out” (Acts 2:3-4). The flames are the words that come from inside us. “My heart grew hot inside me; in my sighing a fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue” (Psalm 39:3). It is the medium which helps us shine in the darkness, not for a house or a block, but for the world itself. “In the same way let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Adonai Elohim within us and without us is a CONSUMING FIRE.

In the natural world, fire is an agent for renewal and recycling environments. It’s a powerful agent for change. Wild fires provide hazardous fuel reduction, rejuvenation of the soil, it improves water quality, it increases diversity, it removes competing vegetation, it improves wildlife habitat, and it provides insect and disease control. Used in the smelting process (in a way), it removes the metal content from contaminants in the ore, such as oxides and silicates to purify it. Fire has always provided warmth and lighting, protecting us from nocturnal predators and other dangers. It helped us create better tools and to cook our food. We’ve used it for signaling each other, eliminating waste (including cremation), generating propulsion, and as a weapon. There is very little that we as a civilization have accomplished without the touch of fire.

Ruach HaKodesh works the same way in the Kingdom. There is very little that we can accomplish without the touch of His fire.  He is necessary for us to be purified (although we don’t always enjoy the process). He is necessary to keep the unruly undergrowth from choking us. He is necessary for us to maintain our communication with the Father. He is necessary for us to eliminate the little pests that swarm us. He is necessary for us to get fed. He is necessary for us to engage the tools the Father laid aside for us in order for us to be successful in the works He wants us to accomplish (Ephesians 2:10).

Ruach HaKodesh is the oil that lubricates the engine we run on. He is the fuel that propels us. The energy of the Father released again and again through us when we are resting in Messiah Jesus. If we want to manage to live this impossible life, we need a relationship with Him. We can’t escape that fact. We NEED Ruach HaKodesh. Without Him, it is harder to stay trusting Jesus. It is harder to arrive at the Throne. But with Ruach HaKodesh directing us, teaching us, and correcting us? It is as simple as Jesus said it would be (Romans 14:17).

Daily Affirmation of the Goodness of Elohim: Mark 10:18

“So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.” Jesus took no glory for Himself. He acknowledged the universal truth that the Father alone is both the Source of all good things as well as Goodness itself. The Father is good. A GOOD God. A GOOD Father. A GOOD judge. A GOOD teacher. A GOOD provider. A GOOD healer. A GOOD restorer. A GOOD creator. He IS good. He just IS. Jesus recognised that and pointed everyone He talked to in the direction of His Father. Jesus didn’t want glory, He wanted the Father glorified. Jesus didn’t want credit, He wanted the Father to have the credit. Whenever anyone started to look to raise Jesus, He backed off. We should be the same. It should never be about US, but about He who made it possible for us to accomplish things. We are there, but it is really God – our GOOD God – who accomplishes the deeds and performs the works. May we remember to glorify Him every time.

Your Daily Confession of Elohim’s Goodness:

I taste and see that Yahweh is good; I am blessed because I take refuge in Him.

Psalm 34:8