“Put the altar in front of the curtain that shields the ark of the covenant law—before the atonement cover that is over the tablets of the covenant law—where I will meet with you. 7 “Aaron must burn fragrant incense on the altar every morning when he tends the lamps. 8 He must burn incense again when he lights the lamps at twilight so incense will burn regularly before the Lord for the generations to come. ” Exodus 30:6-8 NIV
“Never use this formula to make this incense for yourselves. It is reserved for the Lord, and you must treat it as holy.” Exodus 30:37 NLT
“But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. ” 2 Corinthians 2:14 NLT
Lord God Almighty,
All the implements, curtains and furniture are being made for the Tabernacle and the Ark. Extraordinary intricate goldwork and embroidery. Then we hear about their use. Exact, precise and only under God’s instruction. A fragrant incense only to be used on Your altar so it would remind them of Your beautiful holiness? The aroma would linger day and night all around the altar and before the ark, the symbol of Your presence in the midst of them. Where only Moses entered once a year on the Day of Atonement.
I wonder if Paul recalled this holy aroma when he said that when we spread the knowledge of Christ it is like a sweet perfume (NLT) the fragrance of his knowledge in every place (KJV). I read somewhere that the Romans when they had won a war send soldiers ahead with fragrance to denote a victory and bring out the crowds to cheer them home. Mary poured out expensive oil on Jesus feet in John 12:3, and the fragrance filled the house. We thank You, Lord that there is now no forbidden entry into Your presence because Christ has opened the way to You and the fragrance of Your presence and love can be ours always. Help us to spread the fragrance of Christ wherever we go, today and this week, and help us fill our homes with the fragrance of Your presence.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Tuesday 18th February 2025
May the fragrance of Jesus fill this place.
May the fragrance of Jesus fill this place.
May the fragrance of Jesus fill this place.
Lovely fragrance of Jesus,
Rising from the sacrifice
Of lives laid down in adoration.
May the glory of Jesus fill His church.
May the glory of Jesus fill His church.
May the glory of Jesus fill His church.
Radiant glory of Jesus, (Women)
Shining from our faces (All)
As we gaze in adoration.
May the beauty of Jesus fill my life.
May the beauty of Jesus fill my life.
May the beauty of Jesus fill my life.
Perfect beauty of Jesus,
Fill my thoughts, my words, my deeds,
My all I give in adoration.
Fill my thoughts, my words, my deeds,
My all I give in adoration.
Lyrics: Graham Kendrick