Psalm 39:3, Berean Standard Bible

“My heart grew hot within me; as I mused, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue.”

When David wrote, “My heart grew hot within me; as I mused, the fire burned…” I believe that he did not mean it in a metaphorical sense, but it was literally what he had experienced. Listen to the conversation of the two disciples who met Jesus on the road after He arose from the dead in the book of Luke 24:32 (NIV), “They asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’”

Have you ever encountered the same thing that David and the two disciples did – the fire burning in your heart from the word that came from the Lord? It could be a conviction that led to sorrow and to repentance; it also could be an urge rising up and a passion to move boldly for Christ Jesus and for His work. However, the common ground is this: that we come into an alignment with Him and His will. For you, as a believer, I desire that you know we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. He is the Fire, and “The fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually; it must not be extinguished.” (1 Corinthians 6:19, Acts 2:3, Leviticus 6:13, BSB) Rather, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” (Romans 12:11, NIV) Heed sincerely the warning:

“I know your deeds; you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to vomit you out of My mouth!” (Revelations 3:15-16, BSB)

At the same time, as a believer, I also need you to understand the power of the burning fire, “for our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:9, NIV) Do not be like the Israelites who strayed at the foot of the mountains with fear and death because of their lack of knowledge and their distant relationship with the Lord. Instead, recognize the joy that Mount Zion promised, “…come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven…” (Hebrews 12:22-23, NIV)

From the day Jesus, the Son of God, was raised to life there is an unshakable promise through Him of an everlasting life. “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.” (Ephesians 1:13, ESV)

There is a promise from the Word, with the Word, and through the Word. There is also a hope that is of the Word, by the Word, and through the power of the Word, who is Jesus. This hope is for all who have not believed and for us, as believers, to have faith in praying for our loved ones and to trust:

“Immediately the fire of the LORD flashed down from heaven and burned up the young bull, the wood, the stones, and the dust. It even licked up all the water in the trench!” (1 Kings 18:38, NLT)

No matter how stubborn a bull, or how hard a heart, or sinful our nature … the Fire's heat will melt ice, turning it into water, it even licked up all the water in the trench of life!