God's Holy Fire: 'Revealed by the Spirit'

Saturday, July 25, 2026

By these [Old Covenant] regulations the Holy Spirit revealed that the entrance to the Most Holy Place was not freely open as long as the Tabernacle and the system it represented were still in use. This is an illustration pointing to the present time. For the gifts and sacrifices that the priests offer are not able to cleanse the consciences of the people who bring them.
— Hebrews 9:8-9 NLT

Key Thought

The Bible is not a disconnected set of stories. Underneath all these stories is God's story of redemptive love. Throughout the Old Testament parts of the story, the Holy Spirit hints, guides, foreshadows, and even proclaims the direction God's story of grace will ultimately head. Even in the multitude of details used to describe the regulations, ordinances, laws, and rules of the Old Covenant, the Holy Spirit is prefiguring and foreshadowing the glorious work of the Messiah. With Jesus' coming, the story finds its meaning, the shadows become substance, and faith reaches God's goal.

Today's Prayer

God, my glorious Father, thank you for your story of redeeming grace. Thank you for Jesus, in whom your story finds its meaning and hope. Thank you for the Holy Spirit, who wove this story together into your story of Jesus. Thank you! In Jesus' name. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

Illustration

Illustration of Hebrews 9:8-9 NLT — For the gifts and sacrifices that the priests offer are not able to cleanse the consciences of the people who bring them.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Saturday, July 25, 2026

Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Psalm 84:5
"Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Goodness and Deception'
"Dear Beloved, Key transitions in the life and faith of My people need to be protected. In the early days of My church, this need for safety was..."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'You Don't Have to Stumble' (Jn. 8:12)
"Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Christians Are Set Free from Sin’s Power'
"We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when...."

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

More God's Holy Fire

Translations