| Incense
was a skilful blend of special in Ingredients. It is described
as "a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary"
(Exod. 30:35). As choice had to be made of its ingredients,
and care and skill had to be exercised in compound ing of it,
so careful preparation should be given to prayer. It should
not be entered into lightly. A careless, casual approach to
the Lord is dishonouring to Him; there should be no easy familiar
address to the King of heaven. Instead, the mind should be alerted
to the great privilege of such an approach; and humble gratitude
should characterise this aspect of worship.
Under
the Law, incense was offered at regular periods: "Every
morning .... and at even" (Exod. 30:7-8). This suggests
that it is advisable to have set times of approach unto the
Lord. It does not mean, of course, that prayer should be limited
to those set times, for anytime is appropriate for the purpose.
But it does imply that it is profitable to make a habit of
prayer. As the Temple services opened and closed with the
offering of incense, so it is good for the day to begin and
close with a word of prayer.
Incense
was offered exclusively unto the Lord. Moses was commanded:
"As for the perfume which thou shalt make, ye shall not
make to yourselves according to the composition thereof: it
shall be unto thee holy for the Lord" (Exod. 30:37):
Prayer should be reserved exclusively for the Lord God. Sometimes,
under stress, we might seek help of flesh, and forget the
strength that God can provide. That is equivalent to offering
incense unto others. Let us seek divine blessing on whatever
aids we might use; and ever remember that He is greater than
"an arm of flesh" (see 2 Chron. 32:8).
As
the incense was consumed by the Divine fire taken from the
altar of sacrifice (Exod. 30:7), so Prayer is a burnt offering,
a sacrifice, for it should comprise the complete absorption
of hopes, desires, and purpose in the will of God.
Incense
had to be continually offered. It was: "a perpetual incense
before the Lord God throughout your generations" (Exod.
30:8). This ordinance taught that prayer should never cease!
As the Lord taught his disciples: "men ought always to
pray and not faint" (Luke 18:1).
Sometimes
we are tested by delay in an answer to prayer. That is a challenge
to faith. If we cease to pray and turn elsewhere, we are demonstrating
our lack of faith in prayer, and our disbelief in the reality
of God. We must be ready to say in every prayer: "Not
my will but Thine be done." If we really mean this, we
will not despair at delay, but will patiently wait for God
to move.
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