eNews – God’s Presence is the Fire We Camp Around

I was recently in a time of worship with a group of Aglow leaders. Though I was aware of those around me, everything else faded as the Presence of the Lord became the only thing that mattered. The concerns I carried—the frustrations, the anxieties, even the sense of spiritual warfare—quietly slipped into the background in the warmth and comfort of His nearness.

What I experienced in that moment reflects how Scripture often describes God’s Presence: as fire, as light, as the guiding force that leads us forward. His Presence went before Israel as a Pillar of Fire in the desert (Exodus 13). His Presence brings warmth, comfort, and direction. For Joshua, the courage he needed came from one truth alone—God was with him. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage. Do not be afraid or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

His Presence is also described as a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29). The Fire of God burns away the snares of the enemy. It consumes sin and shame and brings healing. When anything in our lives stands between us and the fullness of what God desires, soaking in His Presence consumes every barrier and draws us deeper into His love. The Fire of His Presence melts away every resistance until His love fills every part of us.

When we allow His Presence to shape us, it becomes the place where fear dissolves, courage rises, and our hearts are restored. God’s Presence is the Fire we camp around. Let it be the place you live, the atmosphere you carry, and the home your heart returns to again and again. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you (James 4:8).