Incense

What is your favorite smell? Why is that your favorite smell? What does it remind you of?

In scripture, incense often symbolizes prayer and communion with God.

Revelation 5:8 says, “And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and 20 elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of the Saints.”

We’re also told in Revelation 8:3-4, “And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden sensor and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense which came with the prayers of the Saints, ascended up before God out of the angels hand.”

Our sense of smell can trigger emotions, memory, and creativity. And, the part of the brain that processes smell, interacts with regions of the brain that are responsible for storing emotional memories.

So, different smells bring back memories. In Exodus we see that the high priest, Aaron, lights the incense every morning and every evening.

God even gave Aaron a special recipe for the incense.

Exodus 30: 34-36 says, “And the Lord said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight: And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy.”

Our prayers are like incense before God. He even gives us a “recipe” to follow when we pray, like the incense.

Jesus gives us the Lord’s Prayer and Paul also gives us instructions on how to pray in first Timothy chapter 2.

Supplication, confession, adoration, intercession, which is praying for on behalf of others, and giving thanks. So we have our recipe and blend of spices in our prayers. We are lighting that incense morning and evening when we pray.

Your prayers are sweet smell to God. Psalm 141:2 says, “Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.”

Jesus is now our high priest. 1 Timothy says there is one mediator between God and man. So, let your incense rise! Pray.

Come join us at the Pearl of Great Price Tabernacle, 212 County Road 2232 in Douglassville. Our Sunday church service begins at 11 a.m. Call 430-342-4829 for prayer and any other information.