“He will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the dimly burning flame. He will encourage the fainthearted, those tempted to despair. He will see full justice given to all who have been wronged. He won’t be satisfied until truth and righteousness prevail throughout the earth, nor until even the distant lands beyond the seas have put their trust in him.”
I was trying to light the fire one night and decided that it had gone out, but then I heard a tiny crackling sound. It looked dead and there was no light. Suddenly I saw a spark, then another, then nothing. I was tempted to give up. I knelt down and gently blew at the heart of the pile of sticks and paper, and then waited. After a while there was a curl of smoke and I could still hear a slight crackle, then there was a red glow. The red ember ignited into a flame and it soon became a roaring fire.
Jesus doesn’t quench a dimly burning flame of response. It doesn’t matter how small it is. He notices and cares, and his Holy Spirit will encourage even the faintest heart cry.
When we are trying to spread the light of the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ, even though there may seem no life in someone, we should not give up but ask the Holy Spirit, who knows their heart, to reveal any spark of response or whisper from that one that may be on the brink of coming to life.
Paul tells us to ‘stir up the gift that is within us’, that was given to us by the laying on of hands, by meditating, teaching and encouraging one another (1 Timothy 4:14).
There must be more than this, Oh breath of God come breathe within.
There must be more than this, Spirit of God we wait for you.
Fill us anew we pray, Fill us anew we pray –
Consuming Fire, fan into flame, a passion for your name,
Spirit of God would you fall in this place,
Lord have your way, Lord have your way in us.
Come like a rushing wind; clothe us with power from on high.
Now set the captives free, Leave us abandoned to your praise.
Lord let your Glory fall; Lord let your Glory fall.
Consuming Fire by Tim Hughes
Prayer: O Lord, thank You for Your Holy Spirit who yearns over us. Stir us deep within, that our love may be a burning fire for You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
