Peculiar Fire

DOESN’T BURN UP THE BUSH
The love of God though strong, powerful and intense is not suffocating. He is jealous (for he wanted to be the first, to be above all and he is worthy of that) but will love her gently, more than what she expects, beyond reason of loving someone, immeasurably more what we ask for or imagine (Ephesians 3.20). That’s just the way he is. It doesn’t destroy the life of the one he loves. Instead, it serves as a protective sphere around the beloved. No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you (Isaiah 54.17). As long as she stays in his burning love for her, no foreign element that is designed to hurt her can ever come near her, the ever-enduring fire burning within his heart keeps her safe in his presence. His love is not destructive, it changes life and she will never be put to shame or disgraced when she chooses to love him (Isaiah 45.17). And if we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is. (2 Timothy 2.13) Hosea, loved her wife again and again, that is just the way he is (Hosea 3). That is his nature. He is mysterious but ready, willing and waiting to be known. It just keeps on. He always hopes and his love perseveres (1 Corinthians 13.7) and never fails to keep his love burning for his beloved (1 Corinthians 13.8).








NEVER DIES OUT
It burns within him (Exodus 3.4) for his love is deep and reassuring. It gives her the security that it will always be on fire. It does not die out and then strong again. His love is always strong. It is always on the fire casting all anxieties and doubts (1 Peter 5.7). He’ll never give you a reason to think otherwise, that you’re not loved. At times when you think he’s out of reach, he’s always by your side… the eyes of your heart are not just wide enough to see him. Unlike any other kind of love, when he said ‘yes’ that is for all eternity. He means it. He doesn’t know divorce or annulment. He remembers his covenant forever (1 Chronicles 16.15). No wind is strong enough to cast it out, instead will just keep the flame burning even more. The more his love is tested, the more he will show that no one can ever defy it. No one, no force can take you away from him, for he is strong and you can always run to him for shelter (John 10.28). The longer she stays with him, the more beautiful and sweet his love will taste (Songs 1.2). Death can not even separate you from him. She’ll be sure he’ll be waiting for her in his beautiful kingdom in heaven, prepared a beautiful mansion for her, where there is no more imperfection, no more tears nor sorrow.


Jesus was burning with passion over his bride on his way to the cross. When he was approaching death, he was alone. A man of suffering and familiar with all kinds of pain, for the earth burdened him all sin. The chastisements and the beatings were to no effect. It was not able to touch his heart. The love that burns within him melts the pain and hurt away… it did not reach his heart. The same love burning in God’s heart was burning in his heart that day, that which consumes all hurt and pain and suffering. The way to the cross may be steep and far, but the fire burning in him is more than enough to last a lifetime.


His love for her is so strong it caused him to give his life and surrender to death. Love and death united on the cross which gave us Salvation. His love for her bestowed him death. He did it for her to notice him. He was hanged on the cross, on a hill, displaying himself to the one he loves. He believes that if he displays himself on a hill, his blood coming out of his flesh shouting her name “Love me, that’s all I ask…” he will notice her and be convinced that Yes, “He does love me.’ Moses noticed the flame burning on the mountain. And he became the greatest prophet ever.


At times you feel alone and unloved remember the sun and the fire burning it and all the other stars in heaven. The sun is about 5 billion years now, and merits its astronomical designation as a dwarf star - God made it. It is forever burning. What more is the love of God? He created the sun and all the other stars up in the infinite universe. He placed the Sun in the center of the solar system, it signifies His love burning within him is that which makes us go on. His love is the center of the universe. His love makes us continue to revolve, evolve and live. One will never really understand the fire of his love. Don’t. The only comprehensible thing about God is his infinity and incomprehensibility. It’s just the way He is. He is burning with love. His love is burning within and nothing and no one can ever change that. No one can kill the flame burning in his heart, and not even your sins.


It says “Never let the hardship of the journey overshadow the glory of the destination.” Indeed, there was glory on the cross. The brilliant radiant beauty of the heart on fire burned the earth’s impurities. The fire is ever-ready to consume and purify and refine sins. The glory of the sunrise is on the cross. He looks at his bride with blazing eyes, fill with love it melts her cold and stone heart.


There is no fear in love (1 John 4.18). There is no fear in-God. The Israelites feared God, Moses loved his presence. In him there will be no questions like:


Will he love me still?
Will he love me forever?
Will he never grow tired?


There is a tremendous relief of knowing that God’s love for her is completely realistic. His love is based on facts, at every point on her background, the knowledge of the worst about her… so be assured that no discovery will disillusion him about her.


The fire on the bush like the fire making the sun glow and live, giving life to everything around it - is nothing compared to the burning fire of love in God’s heart for his people. Strange, peculiar, but it’s just the way he is.