We know about the fire of judgment. But there is another fire for the believer – the fire that we offer up to God day and night on the altar of incense in heaven’s temple. How can this be?
If we can believe it, if we can receive it, we who have been born again are already living in His Presence, seated with Christ Jesus in heaven. So here we stand complete in Him through the Cross, before the eternal altar of incense, set free to offer a sacrifice of praise continually. Why wouldn’t we? The psalmist sings of Him who lives in our praises. I like that. I want to be honoring Him day and night, no matter what life brings to me, no matter how I’m feeling.
Under the Law of Moses, the fire on the altar of incense was to burn perpetually. Its sweet fragrance was never to die out. So we, even in the deepest night, can offer up our praises. “I sleep, but my heart awakes” (Song of Songs 5:2). And out of the night Jesus speaks to us words of affection. Words of comfort. Words of guidance and hope for the day ahead.
Praise brings down the presence of God in our lives. He comes and dwells in our praises! Just imagine that! This is the air we breathe, His holy presence living in us. So we sing with the saints and angels,
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” (Rev. 5:12)