As the rain and snow

“Though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-6

“Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free…

“’Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed…

“‘You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him… He is a liar and the father of lies.'” John 8:31-32,34-36,44

Paul entreated the Corinthians to consider their spiritual standing. If they were truly saved, they would recognize the unseen battle for their minds. If steeped in truth and confident in their salvation, they would be able to counter argument and opposition captive only to His wisdom and power. Jesus had made clear the freedom in which Christians live.

Before knowing Christ, all are captive to worthless but persuasive gods of the world. Jesus came to set captives free, and by His grace we can know the lovely fulfillment of serving as His bondslave alone. True freedom from slavery to sin causes such a love for Christ to well up in us that we gratefully yield mind, heart, and soul to our Savior’s captivity. (Isaiah 61:1-3)

Where have we become too comfortable with sin habits? Where do we dismiss negative attitudes, hatred of certain people groups, laziness in spiritual disciplines as not really bad, or as simply who we are, or tendencies impossible to change? What company do we keep that fosters godless thinking, language, and behavior? What choices of entertainment unsettle or deplete rather than nourish our souls? What lures us into a godless worldview?

If there is any situation where we are quenching the Holy Spirit, we must pay attention and deal with it by God’s power. He calls us to stand firm and refuse the allure and entanglements of worldly principles. He is sufficient for help and victory, His armor is effective. By His redeeming grace we are bound to His benevolent Lordship, free to serve and love with abandon and joy. (Matthew 19:26; Galatians 4:8-9; 5:1,13; Ephesians 6:11-18; Hebrews 4:15–16)

“He left His Father’s throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace;
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race;
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free;
For, O my God, it found out me.

Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free;
I rose, went forth and followed Thee.

Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me!” ~ Charles Wesley (1738)

Lord, take captive my heart and mind to bring You the glory You deserve.

“Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one..— with far greater labors, more imprisonments, with countless beatings, often near death.  Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one.  Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea;  on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, from robbers, from my own people, from Gentiles, in the city, in the wilderness, at sea, from false brothers;  in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And,.. there is the daily pressure of my anxiety for all the churches… 

“To keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me…  Three times I pleaded with the Lord… that it should leave me.  But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 11:23-28; 12:7-10

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice… Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus…

“I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:4,6-7,11b-13

Though constantly opposed, attacked, and criticized, Paul had a singly-focused passion: Jesus Christ and Him crucified. The death of Christ had become life to him when his life was inverted: crucified with Him, he lived for His gospel. No circumstances, however harrowing or painful, could shake his contentment in the One who’d given His all for him. Remaining connected to Him by faith, in grateful, confident prayer, was his joyful lifeline. (Galatians 2:20)

For man, we get connected to people and things, successes and happenings, and attempt to fix an elusive happiness there. Consequently, we’re easily jostled in spirit when anything goes awry in a relationship, a job we enjoy, with a treasured possession or easy circumstances. It’s a constant discipline to let go of things of this earth, release anxieties, set our hearts and minds on things above, and continually pray with expectancy and thanksgiving. The discontent fixate on all that is wrong and troubling, while the content think on whatever is true, noble, and right. (Matthew 6:25-34; Philippians 4:8; Colossians 3:1-3)

Do I suffer with discontent? Am I more apt to complain than compliment, to react with angst than rejoice with gladness? How familiar with and connected to the Lord and His good promises am I? The more saturated in His word, the more content I’ll be in ongoing communion and all circumstances. How will I connect anew with my Lord today?

Lord, keep me connected to and content in You, to Your praise.

“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution. From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me. And this is the contribution that you shall receive from them: gold, silver, and bronze, blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, goats’ hair, tanned rams’ skins, goatskins, acacia wood, oil for the lamps, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, onyx stones, and stones for setting, for the ephod and for the breastpiece.  And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst. Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it.” Exodus 25:1-9

Before God gave particular instructions for the construction of the tabernacle, the tent where He would meet with his people, he enlisted through Moses their willing contributions. He needed material for the beauty and utility of the tent, and He invited everyone to participate. Each whose heart would move him was to give of their belonging and treasure to make Him a sanctuary where He would meet and dwell with them.

In our churches, and our communities of fellowship, worship, and caring for one another, we are each called to contribute. With varied opportunities to participate only in part, we can fall into an attitude of being spectators. We conjure many excuses for not being present- from inconvenience to discomfort to insecurity to frustration with people to preference of ease, and settle in to being takers instead of givers. We relish what we receive but fail to give from the treasure of our resources and gifts. We want to be served rather than serve.

Oh how selfish is the flesh! Not so Jesus. The unblemished One, completely undeserving, took on all our sin to bear the reproach and punishment we deserved, giving His all for us. He contributed everything in love- sacrificial, whole, unadulterated love. We finagle and bargain and hoard, to our shame and detriment. He came not to be served, but to serve. (Isaiah 53:4-11; Matthew 20:28; John 13:14-15; Philippians 2:1–8; 1 Peter 4:10)

How can we rid of a self-centered, pleasure-induced, culture-promoted mindset to take on that of Christ? When will we lay our all before the cross to reorient to the example of Jesus, freely offering for the good of His kingdom? The Holy Spirit who inspires the will and emboldens desire and also changes minds and opens hearts and hands.

What are we doing to contribute to God’s sanctuary? How do we participate in the treasure the church extends to her people? What are we giving to make for beauty, practical requirements, ongoing refreshment and teaching for God’s people? How are we building fellowship, fostering meaningful relationships, building up with encouragement, and spreading the fragrance of love and compassion? Honoring His sanctuary magnifies His presence in our midst.

“When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.” ~Isaac Watts (1707)

Father, may I daily spend myself whole-heartedly and sacrificially for Your glory and Your Church’s good.

“In the beginning was the Word… In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

“The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world… 

“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory,.. full of grace and truth… No one has ever seen God; God the only Son, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.

“And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent… to ask him, ‘Who are you?’..  He said, ‘I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, “Make straight the way of the Lord…”

“‘I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.’ 

“The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, “After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me…” For this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel… I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.’” John 1:1,4-9,14,18-19,23,26-27,29-31,34

John the Baptist, the final prophet, was clear about his calling and message. He, a miracle child to his elderly barren parents, had been sent by God the Father as a witness of light. The true light, Jesus, was coming into the world darkened by sin to take away sin. His life mission was to bear witness so people would behold the Lamb of God. (Luke 1:5-15)

Jesus is the light in whom is no darkness, and we presently live in a world rife with spiritual darkness, conflict, and degradation. Crudeness and immorality abound as daily issues crowd our minds and hours. We may sense a holy purpose to bear witness, but fail to see how it fits into pressing responsibilities, or doubt its efficacy in the ugly clamor of the culture. It’s into this very murky slough that we’re to shine light. (John 8:12; Ephesians 6:12; Philippians 2:13-16; 1 John 1:5)

The enemy assaults with doubts and discouragement, convincing us we don’t have time to prepare, our witness won’t have effect, or there are smarter, more eloquent people to speak. Whose voice are we allowing to win? The devil is wily, but God places us specifically in life, employment, and service to do His work. His is the light that makes a difference. (Esther 4:14; 1 Corinthians 3:5-6)

Every Christian is sent as a witness to Jesus, as those transformed by grace to proclaim and extend grace. How seriously and zealously do we take this assignment? To whom are we proclaiming Him as the perfect Lamb? Where are we brightly shining His truth and goodness- elevating conversation, showing compassion, giving selflessly? An effectual call from God through us moves people. Our responsibility is to be faithful, all results are His. (John 1:35-37)

Lord, cleanse me from anything that would dull a bright witness, and help me courageously, joyfully proclaim Jesus in all His glory.

“David said to the assembly, ‘Solomon my son… is young and inexperienced, and the work is great, for the palace will not be for man but for the Lord. So I have provided for the house of my God, as I was able, the gold,.. silver,.. bronze,.. iron, and wood.., onyx and stones.., precious stones and marble. Moreover,.. I have treasure of my own.., and because of my devotion to the house of my God I give it… for all the work to be done by craftsmen… Who then will offer willingly, consecrating himself today to the Lord?’

“Then the leaders.., the commanders.., and the officers… gave for the service of the house of God… gold,.. silver,.. bronze and.. iron. Whoever had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the house of the Lord… The people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.

“Therefore David blessed the Lord in the assembly:.. ‘Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and earth is yours… Riches and honor come from you… In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and give strength to all. And now we… praise your glorious name.

“Who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you…  O Lord, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand.” 1 Chronicles 29:1-3,5-14,16

David was exemplary in his leadership of Israel in preparation for building God’s temple. Captivated by God Himself and the privilege of doing His work, he contributed toward this effort with a whole heart. The people followed suit with eager willingness and joy.

Big projects energize, especially magnificent ones that have broad appeal and influence. God supplies inspiration, talent, energy, and resources to take them on. For God’s children, any great work is initiated by and for Him, not ourselves. If the world revolves around us, it’s easy not to see that He is actually center and source. Selfish endeavors make for meaningless effort and shallow living, while work done unto Him magnifies His glory.

We might dream of ‘palaces’ of perfect families, successful businesses, fine surroundings, where all is up to us to imagine and achieve; thus, we’ll receive the empty glory. If we turn our dreams to our Maker, and seek His purpose for life and plans for our industry, we’ find ourselves’ll be refocused on what matters eternally, and learn to invest in a spiritual dimension. Work turned Godward brings great satisfaction. (Matthew 6:19-21)

Do I suffer my work as an expenditure of sweat and effort I’d rather deploy elsewhere, or savor it as a sacrifice pleasing to God? Do I toil for selfish gain and personal attention, or for my Lord’s renown? How can I labor and communicate to better exalt the Lord God and inspire His praise? Keeping God’s purposes at the fore energizes work freely and joyfully done unto Him. (1 Chronicles 29:17-20; Colossians 3:23)

Father, keep me ever enthralled with You as my reason and source, Your blessing my fuel, and Your honor my end.

“Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, ‘I find no guilt in this man.’ But they were urgent, saying, ‘He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.’

“When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. When he learned that he belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him…  And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other.

“Pilate called together the chief priests and rulers.., and said, ‘You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. After examining him.., I did not find [him] guilty of any of your charges. Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him…’

“But they all cried out together, ‘Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas…’ Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, but they kept shouting, ‘Crucify, crucify him!’ A third time he said to them, ‘Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.’ But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will.” Luke 23:4-8,12-15,18,20-25

“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
    but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” Proverbs 13:20

Pilate didn’t seem to know which crowd was his. With the swagger of pride mixed with weak conviction, relishing and wanting to protect his position as governor, he befriended an enemy, ignored his wife’s brazen warning, succumbed to the boisterous crowd’s insistence against his better judgment, and pretended at innocence in his guilt. His waffling evidenced a heart untethered, swaying to the whims of the loudest voices. He chose placating the fickle crowd over prudence and following his conscience, then declared himself free from culpability. (Matthew 27:19-24)

The crowds we associate with and listen to have great bearing on how we behave and the decisions we make. Even if we think we know what is right and declare it so, the noise and pressure of the world have great persuasion power. It’s vital for our standing firm and making wise choices to align with those of similar biblical convictions. We need to invest in Christian relationships. We must listen to those who speak truth to us, and be willing to do the same. We need to encourage one another to heed what is right and say no to folly.

Where and in what situations do we feel the most pressure to give in against our conscience? What triggers weak resolve? How can we fortify ourselves with strong fellowship and tested promises to prepare for opposition? With whom will we pray and give mutual support? When pulled by the noise of a worldly crowd or wisdom’s call, whom will we follow? (Proverbs 1:20-33)

Lord, fix my heart and mind in what is true and right.

“Thus says the Lord to the house of Israel:

“’Seek me and live;
    but do not seek Bethel,
and do not enter into Gilgal
    or cross over to Beersheba;
for Gilgal shall surely go into exile,
    and Bethel shall come to nothing.’

“Seek the Lord and live,
    lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph,
    and it devour, with none to quench it..,
O you who turn justice to wormwood
    and cast down righteousness to the earth!

“He who made the Pleiades and Orion,
    and turns deep darkness into the morning
    and darkens the day into night,
who calls for the waters of the sea
    and pours them out on the surface of the earth,
the Lord is his name;
who makes destruction flash forth against the strong,
    so that destruction comes upon the fortress.

 “They hate him who reproves in the gate,
    and they abhor him who speaks the truth.
Therefore because you trample on the poor
    and you exact taxes of grain from him,
you have built houses of hewn stone,
    but you shall not dwell in them;
you have planted pleasant vineyards,
    but you shall not drink their wine.
For I know how many are your transgressions
    and how great are your sins—
you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe,
    and turn aside the needy in the gate.
Therefore he who is prudent will keep silent in such a time,
    for it is an evil time.

Seek good, and not evil,
    that you may live;
and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you,
    as you have said.
Hate evil, and love good,
    and establish justice in the gate;
it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts,
    will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.” Amos 5:4-15

Amos describes sharp contrasts of life experience: the Lord over places of false security, living over destruction, the peace of justice and righteousness over the bitterness of wormwood, awe at God’s majestic power over hatred of everything He represents. He illustrates the wasted efforts that pepper a life focused on self and riddled with sin, the emptiness of those without compassion for others. Then he presents a vivid choice: Seek God and live, seek good not evil, hate evil and love good. The One who can destroy is the One who is gracious to save.

There is a mysterious God-given intuition in life, an inexplicable will of a body to live even when prematurely born, or irreparably damaged. Yet in an otherwise healthy body, the flesh can tend to grow un-careful, apathetic or sedentary about what makes for a rich, meaningful life. We become clouds void of substance, like fishnets trying to capture the moon, finding fulfillment elusive.

While Jesus came to give life abundant, the enemy lurks to steal, kill, and destroy. We can’t grow complacent about spiritual health and practices and expect to enjoy life to the full as God intends. We must, in these evil days, press on to seek Him, hate evil, and love good to truly live. (John 10:10)

Has a growing love for self and self-care calloused our first love for the Lord? Has building and planting for pleasantness soured our hearts to the needs of others? What does a sober, honest search of what we value and what we hate reveal? How will we adjust priorities of heart and practice?

Lord, teach me to seek and love You above all.

“Who has first given to me, that I should repay him?
    Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine.” Job 41:11

“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.

“But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you.” 1 Chronicles 29:11-14

“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof,
    the world and those who dwell therein.”
“Every beast of the forest is mine,
    the cattle on a thousand hills.” Psalm 24:1; 50:10

“John answered, ‘A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.'” John 3:27

“What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?” 1 Corinthians 4:7

As Job wrestled with understanding the God through whose hands every blessing and loss and pain came his way, the Lord reminded him who was sole Proprietor. The statements and rhetorical questions throughout Scripture indicating who owns what all point to the One who made everything. What is imagined and designed is created and owned by the Lord, who generously apportions goods and gifts and even suffering to His people according to His grace. (Job 1:21; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11)

If we ever have a tussle with the Lord over the condition of our circumstances or waste of a day or use of our things, we can believe, “Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine.” Then we might ask, ‘How would You have me spend this money, use this hour, utilize my health, serve Your plan?’ If we pause to consider why we do what we do, and how we’re implementing God’s gifts and resources, we can learn to make decisions through the filter of His honor and our faith rather than selfish wants.

The next time we feel greedy- miserly with money or tight-fisted with belongings or skimpy with our time- we need a reset of thinking. All we handle, use, and manage is a gift from God above for His purposes. If I am a steward of the Lord’s goods, visible and invisible (not a hoarder of my own), I hold them loosely with an ear out for His instruction. (James 1:17)

How does my view of things and time need refocussing? What truth, or friend, will help me unclench my fist on control? How might acknowledgment of God’s lavish grace and true gratitude make for a fresh, generous perspective?

“Fairest Lord Jesus, 
ruler of all nature, 
O thou of God and man the Son, 
Thee will I cherish, 
Thee will I honor, 
thou, my soul’s glory, joy, and crown.” ~ Friedrich von Spee (1677)

Lord, may I honor You with all You’ve entrusted to me, acknowledging You as both Giver and worthy Recipient of all blessing.

“But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand… Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh; for with a strong hand he will send them out, and with a strong hand he will drive them out of his land.” Exodus 3:19; 6:1

“The time that the people of Israel lived in Egypt was 430 years. At the end of 430 years, on that very day, all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt… It was a night of watching by the Lord, to bring them out of the land of Egypt… On that very day the Lord brought the people of Israel out… by their hosts…

“Then Moses said to the people, ‘Remember this day in which you came out from Egypt, out of the house of slavery, for by a strong hand the Lord brought you out… You shall tell your son on that day, ‘It is because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt…’ For with a strong hand the Lord has brought you out of Egypt… 

“When the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as he swore to you and your fathers, and shall give it to you,  you shall set apart to the Lord all that first opens the womb…  And when in time to come your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ you shall say to him, ‘By a strong hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, from the house of slavery… It shall be as a mark on your hand or frontlets between your eyes, for by a strong hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt.”

“Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power,
    your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy.
In the greatness of your majesty you overthrow your adversaries;
    you send out your fury; it consumes them like stubble.” Exodus 12:40–42,51; 13:3,8-9,11-12a,14,16; 15:6-7

Their remarkable deliverance from slavery, and the regular remembrance of it, were to commemorate for God’s people the movement and working of His strong hand. The Lord’s hand is depicted in Scripture as mighty and able to save. The same hand that set apart Israel and brought them out of Egypt continually led, prompted, and protected them on the other side, and would plant them in the promised land. The sovereign hand of God was to be revered and held, remembered and called upon, and praised. (Isaiah 59:1)

God’s hands carved out the seas and holds them at their borders. They made the heavenly lights and uphold them in place. His hand works to hem in and lead out, to harden hearts and make soft, to raise up and bring low, to disrupt and to settle. Where can I trace the goodness and power of God’s hands in recent history? Where has He opened doors and led me through, or will I in faith ask Him to? Where do I need the ministry of God’s hand steadying, delivering, comforting, guiding, or protecting today? (Exodus 14:4; 15:17; 1 Samuel 2:6-8; Psalm 8:3; Proverbs 8:29; Isaiah 40:12; 48:13)

“Jesus! what a Strength in weakness!
Let me hide myself in him;
Tempted, tried, and sometimes failing,
He, my strength, my vict’ry wins.

Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Hallelujah! what a Friend!
Saving, helping, keeping, loving,
He is with me to the end.” ~ J. Wilbur Chapman (1910)

Father, to Your sovereignty and strength I raise my hands in adoration and dependence.

“O Lord, I call upon you!
Let my prayer be counted as incense before you,
    and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!

But my eyes are toward you, O God, my Lord!” Psalm 141:1-2,8a

“You shall make an altar on which to burn incense… in front of the mercy seat.., where I will meet with you. Every morning when [Aaron] dresses the lamps he shall burn it, and at twilight he shall burn it, a regular incense offering before the Lord throughout your generations.” Exodus 30:1,6-8

“When he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.” “And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel.” Revelation 5:8; 8:3-4

The law prescribed the altar and its incense, the psalmist and elders offered the fragrance of prayer before God. In every case, prayer was God-ward, in reverence, dependence, and hope. The pleadings from God’s people through the ages were not only heard, but savored as a pleasing aroma by the One sought, honored, and trusted.

The Scriptures contain many examples of and commands to pray, to approach God’s holy altar by His mercy regularly, but we can misconstrue the intent of this instruction. In the flesh our concept of prayer can be limited to asking of God, coming to Him to get and take what we need. Yet prayer is not as much for us as it is for our God, the One to whom we lift our praises and concerns. When we cast our dependence on Him it is a pleasing expression of absolute trust in His sufficiency and goodness.

Incense is intended to be a pleasing, fragrant aroma to those in its circle of fragrance. As we set aside time for the Lord, we can train ourselves to think of offering instead of procuring, emitting instead of consuming. If we’ve grown, usually unconsciously, self-centered and ‘all about me,’ we must exhale self in order to breathe in His Spirit and think differently.

How might we set our eyes and yearnings toward the Lord anew? With what praises and gratitude can we fill bowls before Him today? He is worthy of our best.

“From prayer that asks that I may be
Sheltered from winds that beat on Thee,
From fearing when I should aspire,
From faltering when I should climb higher;
From silken self, O Captain, free
Thy soldier who would follow Thee.

From subtle love of softening things,
From easy choices, weakenings,
(Not thus are spirits fortified,
Not this way went the Crucified)
From all that dims Thy Calvary
O Lamb of God, deliver me.

Give me the love that leads the way,
The faith that nothing can dismay
The hope no disappointments tire,
The passion that will burn like fire;
Let me not sink to be a clod;
Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God.” ~Amy Carmichael (1870-1951)

Lord, may I continually exalt You and exude the fragrance of praise, dependence, and thanksgiving in pleasing fashion throughout my hours.