Strange Fire

And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not. Leviticus 10:1.
Next to Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu had stood highest in Israel. They had been especially honored by the Lord, having been permitted with the seventy elders to behold His glory in the mount. But their transgression was not therefore to be excused or lightly regarded. All this rendered their sin more grievous. Because men have received great light, because they have, like the princes of Israel, ascended to the mount, and been privileged to have communion with God, and to dwell in the light of His glory, let them not flatter themselves that they can afterward sin with impunity, that because they have been thus honored, God will not be strict to punish their iniquity. This is a fatal deception. The great light and privileges bestowed require returns of virtue and holiness corresponding to the light given. Anything short of this, God cannot accept. Great blessings or privileges should never lull to security or carelessness. They should never give license to sin or cause the recipients to feel that God will not be exact with them….
Nadab and Abihu had not in their youth been trained to habits of self-control…. Habits of self-indulgence, long cherished, obtained a hold upon them which even the responsibility of the most sacred office had not power to break. They had not been taught to respect the authority of their father, and they did not realize the necessity of exact obedience to the requirements of God. Aaron’s mistaken indulgence of his sons prepared them to become the subjects of the divine judgments.
God designed to teach the people that they must approach Him with reverence and awe, and in His own appointed manner. He cannot accept partial obedience. It was not enough that in this solemn season of worship nearly everything was done as He had directed…. Let no one deceive himself with the belief that a part of God’s commandments are nonessential, or that He will accept a substitute for that which He has required.
Conflict and Courage p. 100
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Prayer Requests
—– Pleas pray for me about a work situation. I don’t want to react, but respond with wisdom and grace. Thanks! Nita
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Dear Friends,
When I was 21, I moved about 26 miles away from home to take some training at the Battle Creek Sanitarium and Hospital. One weekend, when I came home to visit, my mother told me that my Aunt Joyce and her family had moved to a big farm house outside of town. My three cousins were 10, 14, and 15 and would love being out in the country so this was an ideal move for them.
Deciding to go and see this new place for myself, I climbed into my old, 1961 Mercury Meteor and started to leave. Just as I left, my mother warned me about their new dog. It was a white German Shepherd and vicious. She made me promise to honk the horn when I drove into the driveway so someone could shut the dog up in an upstairs room. I thought that my mother was exaggerating.
I found the house and drove into the drive honking the horn according to my mother’s instructions. Then I saw my three cousins down the hill playing catch with the large, white dog. He had not noticed me, and it was not very far to the back door, so I decided that I could get inside with no trouble. I opened the car door and started for the back porch. About half way there, I saw that white monster running full speed toward me. I ran to the house as fast as I could. About that time my aunt unlocked the door and I rushed inside. Just as I closed the screen door, I could feel their dog’s breath on my leg. One more second, and he would have taken a big bite! After awhile, my cousins came in to see me and they brought the dog. That made fingers of fear travel up and down my spine. Larry could handle that monster and made him sit there and told him I was “ok, ” but eventually he locked him upstairs so I wouldn’! t be so uneasy
We have an adversary that is even more dangerous than my aunt’s dog. His “bite” is even more painful and deadly than that animal could inflict. He is constantly at our heels, trying to get us to fall for his temptations, causing us trouble and heartache. Sometimes he appears gentle and his temptations seem harmless so we will be lulled into a false security, but he is even more vicious than that white dog. Peter tells us, “Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith.” 1 Peter 3:8,9
Paul advises, “Put off concerning the former conversationthe old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, And be renewed in the spirit of your mind, And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, an! d clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children, And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints, Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: ! walk as children of light.” Eph 4:22-5:9
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness, And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance.! ” Eph 6:10-18 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.” Rom 16:20
Rose