In my recent Bible reading in Exodus, a passage jumped out at me about Moses and the Israelites at Mount Sinai. After rescuing them from Egypt, God led His people to this mountain. His fiery presence descended upon it, with smoke billowing up like a furnace (Exodus 19:17-18).
Moses and Joshua went up into the mountain to meet with God, while Aaron stayed down below with the people (Exodus 24:13-14). Though they’d all witnessed miracles, only Moses and Joshua pressed in close to the Lord’s tangible presence. Aaron remained at a distance.
Soon after, Aaron yielded to the people’s pressure and created a golden calf idol, violating the very commandments God was giving Moses (Exodus 32). Aaron lost his way because he left the fire of God’s presence.
Hebrews 12:29 calls our God “a consuming fire.” His flame burns up impurities and empowers us to live holy lives. Like the disciples at Pentecost, we must let the fire of the Holy Spirit ignite within us.
It’s easy even for those who’ve seen God move to drift from His manifest presence over time. Familiarity and routine replace awe and passion. That’s dangerous ground.
We must stay connected to the fire through disciplined Bible study, prayer, worship, fellowship and listening to the Spirit. Don’t lose your first love! God’s fire purifies motives, fuels service, and lights our path.
This fire changed Moses’ face. It emboldened him to confront Pharaoh and lead God’s people against impossible odds. God wants His fire to radiate from us too. But we must remain near the heat. We must press in to know Him deeply and carry His presence.
Don’t distance yourself from God’s fire today. Draw near to Him, and He will draw near to you. Stay connected through spiritual disciplines. Let His flame ignite your faith and refine your walk. Fan the fire within you into an all-consuming blaze!
In Christ,
Stephen H. Hammond
President
AUTHOR BIO
Stephen H. Hammond, president and founder of Christian Values Investing Inc., established the first “fee-only” Biblical responsible investment advisory firms in 1993 to help Christians align investments with their values and better manage finances from a biblical perspective. He graduated from Georgia Southern University with a finance degree and worked in the Investment Banking industry before joining Merrill Lynch in 1988. Stephen is a published author and speaker, a spirit-filled Christian who traces his faith heritage to preacher ancestors. In 2005, he established the nonprofit Covenant Financial Ministries to teach biblical stewardship principles and money management. Stephen has decades of experience in money management and financial planning. and serves with Kingdom Advisors and the National Association of Christian Financial Consultants. He has appeared on radio and television, spoken at churches, and authored books including Mission Possible: An Investment Guide for Christians and The Successful Life Manager. He married Angela in 1990, and has two adult children.
