Last week we had a look at the
golden table of showbread and we learned that Jesus is now our
bread of life. And He wants us to come to Him, to fellowship with
Him and to take in this bread of life, Him. Then His life and life
in abundance can flow through us.
Today we will have a look at the
altar of incense. The golden altar of incense was in front of the
curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. God
commanded the priests to burn incense there every morning and
evening. The incense was to be left burning continually as a
pleasing aroma to God.
The incense burning was a symbol of
prayers offered to God. We learn that from:
"Let my prayer be set before
You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening
sacrifice." Psalm 141:2
"Then another angel, having a
golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much
incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints
upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of
the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God
from the angel's hand." Revelation 8:3, 4
The incense was thus a symbol of
the prayers of the saints. And God was pleased to have this aroma
before Him day and night. God loves our prayers. He loves to hear
from us. He loves to talk to us. And it is interesting to me that
the altar of incense was right in front of the entrance to the Most
Holy Place. Therefore God was saying prayer, in other words
conversation with Him, was the way to enter into the Most Holy
Place. Being close to Him, one with Him, gives access into the
holiest of all.
Jesus said that we must pray using
His Name:
"And whatever you ask in My
Name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If you ask anything in My Name, I will do it." John 14:13,
14
Therefore Jesus is the entrance
into the Most Holy Place. Using His Name will give us the right to
enter. Why? Because we are too sinful on our own. We cannot enter
without a sacrifice. But Jesus came and was our perfect Sacrifice.
His death tore the veil in two, giving all of us entrance, clothed
with the righteousness of Christ. And then when we pray, our
prayers will be granted and what we ask for will be granted. Why?
Because we will be praying what Jesus would be praying. We will be
thinking and breathing like Him and our requests will be in line
with His will. All glory to Him! Then all things will be added unto
us.
This year I have learned so much
about prayer. Prayer is in essence communication with God, whether
audible or not, whether in our soul or in our spirit, or whether it
is just a constant knowing that God is close to you. Prayer is just
being with Him, knowing everything will work out for my good as I
stay close to Him in the Most Holy Place. This type of prayer is
sweet incense unto Him and pleases Him. He simply wants your
undivided love and attention directed towards Him and His Kingdom.
That is why Jesus said all things will be added unto you if you
make His Kingdom your primary concern.
Look up to Him, pray, communicate
and love. He is good, always!
Father we love to come into Your
presence. We love to spend time with You. Thank you for all Your
faithfulness. In You lie all the answers to life! Amen