Devotions from the Heart: A Continual Burning

by Pastor Derek Gitsham

A Continual Burning

"This is the law of the burnt offering:
It is the burnt offering, because of
the burning upon the altar all night
unto the morning, and the fire of the
altar shall be burning it…the fire shall
ever be burning upon the altar; it shall
never go out." Leviticus 6: 9, 13

The importance of these words, quite simply,
are a reminder of the tremendous power of
God to forgive. The altar was the place of
acceptance of the sacrifices of the people
for their sin. Not the sins of commission
but the sins of omission: sins they were
ignorant of.

The fact that the fire continually
burned and never went out is a sign again of the
tremendous mercy of God in His willingness to
forgive the people and keep them in a right
relationship with Himself. How gratifying it
is to see the fire continuously burning upon
the altar, and be reminded of the Lord’s
desire to forgive us. All that is needed
on our part is the willing sacrifice to be
laid on the altar embraced by the power of
continual acceptance and forgiveness.

How God honored the people and demonstrated
His love for them by allowing the fire to burn
on and on. If we confess our sins, He is
faithful and just to forgive our sins. There
must be a willingness on our part to be open
about our wrongs, honest about ourselves, if
we are to partake of the fire of His forgiveness.

There is nothing more powerful to the soul of
man but to know that he is forgiven by God.
No access to God can be made until first he
is forgiven, and forgiven he is, if he determinedly
confesses his sin. The fire is proof enough. Born
in the flames of love, let the world know that in
Christ we have redemption, through His blood, the
forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of
His grace.


Pastor Derek Gitsham
Leviticus 6:9,13
the forgiveness of God