2 Maccabees 1:30-36: a reflection

30Then the priests sang the hymns. 31As soon as the sacrifice was consumed, then Nehemiah commanded that the rest of the liquid be poured on large stones. 32When this was done, a flame was kindled; but when the light from the altar shone back, it went out. 33When the matter became known, and king of the Persians was told that in the place where the priests who were led away had hid the fire, the liquid appeared which Nehemiah and those who were with him purified the sacrifice, 34then the king enclosed the place and made it sacred after he had investigated the matter. 35When the king would show favor to any, he would exchange many presents and give them some of this liquid. 36Nehemiah and those who were with him called this thing “Nephthar”, which is by interpretation, “Cleansing”; but most men call it Nephthai.

In a striking story from Israel's exile, the sacred fire from the altar, which could not be openly kept, had been hidden away by the priests, preserved through the years of captivity as a thick liquid. And when the people returned, the hidden fire was recovered and rekindled on the altar, flaming up again when the liquid was poured out. What had been preserved in hiddenness through the dark years of exile was brought out and rekindled when the time came. God had preserved the sacred through the darkest time, kept safe though hidden, to be rekindled again in its season.

Notice how the sacred fire was preserved through the dark years and rekindled. During the exile, the fire could not be openly maintained; it was hidden, preserved in a form that seemed lifeless, waiting. But it was not lost; through all the years of captivity it was kept safe, and when the people returned, it was brought out and rekindled, flaming up again on the altar. What seemed dormant, even dead, through the dark time was in fact preserved, and came to life again in its season. God had kept the sacred through the years of exile, hidden but safe, to be restored when the time came. The darkness had not extinguished it; it was preserved to be rekindled.

That is worth taking to heart, for God can preserve what is sacred through our own dark times, to be rekindled again. There can be seasons of exile in our lives, dark times when what is sacred, our faith, our devotion, seems to go dormant, hidden away, as if it might be lost; but the sacred fire was preserved through the exile and rekindled. God can preserve what is his through the darkest seasons, keeping it safe though it seems dormant, to be rekindled again in its time. When you pass through a dark season and what was sacred in you seems dormant or lost, do not despair; God can preserve it through the darkness, to be rekindled again. Trust that God can preserve what is sacred in you through your darkest seasons, keeping it safe to be rekindled again, as the hidden fire was preserved through the exile and flamed up again on the altar; for the darkness does not extinguish what God preserves, and he can rekindle in its season what seemed dormant through the dark years.

Lord, in a striking story from Israel's exile, the sacred fire from the altar, which could not be openly kept, had been hidden away by the priests, preserved through the years of captivity as a thick liquid. And when the people returned, the hidden fire was recovered and rekindled on the altar, flaming up again when the liquid was poured out. What had been preserved in hiddenness through the dark years of exile was brought out and rekindled when the time came. You had preserved the sacred through the darkest time, kept safe though hidden. Show me how the sacred fire was preserved through the dark years and rekindled. During the exile, the fire could not be openly maintained; it was hidden, preserved in a form that seemed lifeless, waiting. But it was not lost; through all the years of captivity it was kept safe, and when the people returned, it flamed up again on the altar. What seemed dormant, even dead, through the dark time was in fact preserved. You had kept the sacred through the years of exile, hidden but safe. The darkness had not extinguished it. Take that to my heart, for you can preserve what is sacred through my own dark times, to be rekindled again. There can be seasons of exile in my life, dark times when what is sacred, my faith, my devotion, seems to go dormant, as if it might be lost; but the sacred fire was preserved through the exile and rekindled. You can preserve what is yours through the darkest seasons. When I pass through a dark season and what was sacred in me seems dormant or lost, keep me from despairing; you can preserve it through the darkness, Lord, to be rekindled again. Help me trust that you can preserve what is sacred in me through my darkest seasons, to be rekindled again.