Devouring Fire

Yesterday, I wrote about how God will shake things up, so that only unshakable things remain.  There is one additional verse that captured me in that passage from Hebrews:

"For our God is a devouring fire."

~Hebrews 12:29 (NLT)

It seemed like an odd statement in the context of God shaking things up.  I decided to look deeper.  It could mean the fire of purification - like in the refining of gold and silver.

"Fire tests the purity of silver and gold,

but the Lord tests the heart."

~Proverbs 17:3 (NLT)

"Fire tests the purity of silver and gold,

but a person is tested by being praised."

~Proverbs 27:21 (NLT)

Or, it could mean the fiery wrath of God, that conquered the sinful nations for his chosen people.

"But recognize today that the Lord your God is the one who will

cross over ahead of you like a devouring fire to destroy them.

He will subdue them so that you will quickly conquer and drive them out,

just as the Lord has promised."

~Deuteronomy 9:3 (NLT)

In any case, I have the image of a fire that devours and consumes all, leaving only the pure behind.   Just like he will shake things up, leaving behind only what is unshakable.

I pray that I have unshakable faith and a purity of heart that withstands God's fiery test.