Read the passage before the words below. Click the link in the reference or find it in your Bible.
And Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it. Every morning when he dresses the lamps he shall burn it, and when Aaron sets up the lamps he shall burn it, and when Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight, he shall burn it, a regular incense offering before the Lord throughout your generations. ...
It is most holy to the Lord.
Exodus 30:7-8, 10 ESV
Fragrant incense was to burn as a regular offering before the Lord, both morning and evening, throughout all generations.
As I read the words, a verse from the psalms came to mind:
Let my prayer be counted as incense before you,
and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!
Psalm 141:2 ESV
The psalmist made a connection between the incense offerings before God to the prayers of His people. I can't help but think the offerings of incense, continually and generationally, are a picture of how we are to pray, and how He receives our prayers.
The house of God is to be a house of prayer. Prayerful Believers offering prayers like incense, morning and evening. Raising hands like an evening sacrifice. Teaching those after us to also lift up their hands in prayer.
The New Testament echoes this picture of continual prayer:
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV
And [Jesus] told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray
and not lose heart.
Luke 18:1 ESV
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12 ESV
...praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication...
Ephesians 6:18 ESV
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
Colossians 4:2 ESV
...do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Philippians 4:6 ESV
Every Believer, a house of God. Every prayer, holy to the Lord.
...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.
Revelation 5:8 ESV
Are you praying continually? offering a sweet aroma of sacrifice before the Lord with requests? thanksgiving? praise?
Consider your prayer life, today. Make the necessary changes to bring your life in line with His will for you in Christ Jesus.
It will bless not only you, but Him and His Kingdom.
Lord, teach me to pray. Remind me to lift up my hands before You,
each morning and evening. Grow me to pray continually.
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