SCRIPTURE: Revelation (NIV) 8:3 Another angel, who had a golden censor, came, and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel’s hand.
OBSERVATION: In Exodus (26:30) we read that Moses was told to build the tabernacle according to what he saw when he was in God’s presence on Mount Saini. In Moses’ tabernacle we see the altar of incense the last piece of furniture before the ark. It was the final stop where the priest would take the hot coals with incense to wave before the Lord as he approached the ark of the covenant and the mercy seat. It was piece of furniture closest to the mercy seat.
Here we see the altar of incense before God’s throne. Incense is sweet smelling heated smoke. It naturally rises. Our prayers, like incense naturally rise to the throne of God.
APPLICATION: The prayers we thought got no higher than the ceiling; the prayers we wondered if anyone heard, but we prayed anyway. Those prayers mixed with incense help give heaven a beautiful fragrance.
With all the hurtful things God sees on earth every day, surely it must be a healing balm to His heart to hear His people call out to Him.
I believe our praise and worship add a beautiful fragrance to our prayers. When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He started with “hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done.” Praise and worship came before requesting our daily needs. (Luke 11:2-4)
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, may my prayers rise as a beautiful fragrance to your throne. Amen.
Pastor Leon
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