dailywordofdestiny

Firebrand: a burning stick taken out of the fire; a person who causes trouble (Oxford Dictionary).

Fire: In the Bible, fire often appears as a symbol of God’s presence and power (Genesis 15: 17-21). Fire worship was practiced and still is in many cultures (Deuteronomy 12: 29-32). In the Old Testament, fire and flame were closely associated with Israel’s worship and religious life. The consumption of offerings by flame assured them that God had accepted the people’s sacrifices (Leviticus Chap. 1-10; Judges 6: 18-22; 1 Kings 18: 25-40). There are numerous references to fire as a symbol of God’s judgment on wickedness and unbelief; God is as a “consuming fire” (Exodus 24: 15-18; Hebrews 12: 25-29). Fire is also pictured as God’s agent to purify and illuminate. The coming Messenger of the Lord is portrayed as a “refiner’s fire” (Malachi 3: 1-5). The tongues “as a fire” came with the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost; reinforcing the purging and illuminating quality of God’s TRUTH (Acts 2: 1-8).

In the year 2002 God gave me the word firebrand and had me do a word study on it. I had never done a word study. I diligently looked up the word in the Concordance and read every outlined verse of Scripture. I went to every Scripture cross-reference and read each of them. After a couple of weeks I phoned a friend and asked her how long a word study was to take. Her wise response was, “Until you get the message God is trying to give to you.” Well, I eventually did get the message: “You are My firebrand; you are to go to those whose heart embers are dying and you are to stir the embers until they are red hot again (Revelation 2: 4-7). Then you are to pluck them out and scatter them and they will ignite a brushfire that shall consume the enemy before and around them” (Judges 15: 1-5). I was excited beyond measure, but found that weeks and months passed and nothing happened. I finally just packed the study away.

Years have passed and a lot has changed in my life since 2002. The Lord has taught me much about myself and I now realize that every day is time in training to become more like Jesus. He will place you in situations that will squeeze, stretch, pull apart, and burn the flesh right out of you. For many years I ran from Him in rebellion, but one day, He reached into the burning chaos of my self-made life and pulled me out.

Psalm 18 is one of my many “favorite Scriptures.” This written Word speaks of my life and perhaps yours as well. The verses that thrill me to the very core of my being are those that say God HEARS our cry and He LEAPS up to fly to our rescue: “…there went up a smoke out of His nostrils, and FIRE out of His mouth DEVOURED: coals were kindled by it (vs. 8). At the brightness that was before Him His thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of FIRE. The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave His voice; hail stones and coals of FIRE.” (vs. 12, 13) Then, some of the greatest verses of His love; verses 16-19, “He sent from above, He took me, He drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. They prevented me in the day of my calamity: BUT the LORD was my stay. HE brought me forth also into a large place; He delivered me, BECAUSE HE DELIGHTED IN ME.” Hallelujah…Oh what a SAVIOR!

Well, I made a PRO-CHOICE for Jesus and He now reigns as Lord of my life. It was for this very season in time that I was in preparation; because He is NOW using me as His BURNING STICK. I am one of many He has pulled from the fire of destruction and who are now causing trouble for the enemy… I am, you are, a FIREBRAND! In the above Scripture you see the FIRE is in His mouth; it is in ours as well… IF we are reborn and allowing His renewal in every part of our life. In Isaiah (Isaiah; Chap 6) verse 5, “Then said I, Woe is me! For I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.” The Lord showed Isaiah his NEED for renewal and when Isaiah recognized his need, the LIVE COAL was laid upon his MOUTH by the seraphim and then the Lord said, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then said I (you), “Here am I; send me (us)” (vs. 8). In Revelation 19:15 it tells us of Christ’s return and the verse says, “And out of HIS MOUTH goeth a sharp sword, THAT WITH IT HE SHOULD SMITE THE NATIONS: and He SHALL rule them with a rod of iron: and He treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.”

Burning for Jesus Christ!