The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. (Psalm 46:6-7)

It is written in the Torah, and reiterated by the writer of Hebrews, that the God of Israel is a consuming fire (Deuteronomy 4:24, Hebrews 12:29). That is to say, nothing will be able to withstand His power and might — all is consumed by the brightness and intensity of His glory. The writer of Hebrews reminds us of this fact to underscore something he expounded upon just before mentioning this point. The context of the statement is that there is coming a day when God will shake heaven and earth to remove those things that are not worthy to stand. At the same time, this shaking will prove those things that are worthy of remaining — that which is built upon the Rock.

That means every nation, every institution and every individual will be shaken to determine its’ character and nature. In the end, everything temporal in which man has placed his trust — including nations and kingdoms — will be moved out of its place and reduced to dust (see Daniel 2:35). Kingdoms are often personified in Scripture as mountains, and so it is written, “The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth” (Psalm 97:5). The inference is that the Presence of the Almighty, as a consuming fire, removes the kingdoms of man from their place.

On the other hand, we have been given a kingdom that cannot be shaken. The same consuming fire that destroys the rebellious nations inhabits those who are submissive to His will. Instead of bringing them to their destruction, He consumes them with His Presence in order to sustain their life. Like the bush that burned but was not consumed, the Presence of God inhabits His People for their benefit. As we submit ourselves to Him as a living sacrifice, our will and desire is consumed in His flame — but the result is abundant life. And so may it be that our Refuge, the Lord of Hosts, will come and consume us with His Presence that we may live, prosper and shine for His purpose.

Blessings and Shalom,  

Bill 

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