What Does it Mean God is a Consuming Fire

Heavenly Father. Lord. Savior. You’re familiar with those descriptions of God. Shepherd. Love. Peace. The list goes on. Consuming Fire. Wait! What? God is a Consuming Fire? Yes. That is one of the ways the Bible describes the Lord. You see, our Heavenly Father is majestic beyond our imagination, full of glory. That is why people fall at His feet. It is why God’s anger burned toward Moses when He called Moses to lead the people out of Egyptian bondage and Moses asked God to send someone else. (Exodus 4:14)  God’s fiery anger burns against evil and sin as Deuteronomy 4:24 warns.  “For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.” It is why the Lord “rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire out of heaven.” Genesis 19:24. The New Testament reinforces the holy, consuming fire of God. Hebrews 12:29 states, “our God is a CONSUMING FIRE.”  Should we fear Him? Yes, in holy reverence. Should we be afraid of Him? Not if we’re covered in the blood of Jesus. What should we expect of our God who is a consuming fire? Revelation 20:9 tells us. Fire will once again come down from heaven and devour those who fight against Him and His saints. “And they came up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, and fire came down from heaven and devoured them.” Nothing. No one can stand against our Lord who is a consuming fire.

Lord God, CONSUMING FIRE, burning in righteousness and purity, thank You for saving us on the basis of Christ’s sacrifice. Thank You for the day when You will make all things right. 

Add “Consuming Fire” to your list of God’s attributes in Prayers of My Heart. Order the journal for Christmas gifts!