Heb 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire.
This verse can seem frightening, especially as we watch the devouring forest fires in the west. Fire can be such a wonderful comfort. Pictures of family gatherings around a campfire or nestled in on a wintry night before a crackling fire in the fireplace can bring peace and warmth to the soul. But a raging forest fire—a consuming fire is quite different. Even a bonfire can be frightening as the flames leap several feet into the air.
As always, our God becomes a multifaceted gem for us to see and from which we gain wisdom. He is the light that shines to show us the way, even when it is only a tiny, flickering flame. It is there in the darkness, and we see it and find direction. He is also the consuming fire. He takes our cares and worries, our pain and agony, and consumes it away as though they were tinder! Our gracious consuming fire stands before us calling for us to cast all our cares upon Him because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). As a child with our sticks and twigs, we stand before Him and toss every worry, every care into His fire. He consumes them as though they were nothing! And when He consumes them, they are gone! What joy! What peace! What comfort! Edmund Lorenz gives some good advice when it comes to casting those burdens into our Consuming Fire in his hymn, Tell It To Jesus.
Are you weary, are you heavy-hearted?
Tell it to Jesus,
Tell it to Jesus;
Are you grieving over joys departed?
Tell it to Jesus alone.
Refrain:
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus,
He is a friend that’s well-known;
You’ve no other such a friend or brother,
Tell it to Jesus alone.
Do the tears flow down your cheeks unbidden?
Tell it to Jesus,
Tell it to Jesus;
Have you sins that to men’s eyes are hidden?
Tell it to Jesus alone.
Do you fear the gath’ring clouds of sorrow?
Tell it to Jesus,
Tell it to Jesus;
Are you anxious what shall be tomorrow?
Tell it to Jesus alone.
Are you troubled at the thought of dying?
Tell it to Jesus,
Tell it to Jesus;
For Christ’s coming kingdom are you sighing?
Tell it to Jesus alone.
Edward Lorenz
Beyond Common Sense 