Thursday after the Seventh Sunday after Trinity, 8/10/00Hebrews 12: 25-29 See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused Him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from Him who warns us from heaven? At that time His voice shook the earth, but now He has promised, "Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens." The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken--that is, created things--so that what cannot be shaken may remain. 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." --NIV
In the name of the One Who is a consuming fire, amen.
After the flood God promised never to destroy the earth again by water. He placed the rainbow in the sky to remind us of that fact. But he did tell us that He would shake things again, and that day is still coming.
The fact that the Lord will destroy the earth sounds like a terrible threat, and it is. But for everyone who trusts in Jesus for forgiveness, it is a beautiful promise. It is a promise because He will destroy the world in order to renew it in holiness. At that time evil will be removed, and we will live with Jesus in peace. Amen.
Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, You truly are a consuming fire, and we deserve to be consumed. But in Your love You sent Jesus to save us. By the power of the Holy Spirit, make us stand strong in the True Faith. When Your consuming fire comes, cover us with the waters of Baptism so that we will not burn, amen.
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