Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2017 February 18

“And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even, he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations” (Exodus 30:8).

Today’s Morsel:  When we lived in Asia, you could always smell incense burning.  In homes, in temples, in stores, in businesses, at tombs; it was their way of worship to the unknown God as spoken to in Act 17 in Greece by the apostle Paul.  The Lord told Moses that when Aaron lit the lamps at evening he was to burn incense on it, a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout their generations. Their generation was to do this as a type of shadow of what was to come.  But today, every generation must learn continual praise to God every time the lamps are lit.  The incense was a sweet-smelling offering unto the Lord.  Today, we do not burn incense, but rather we must come before His presence with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise.  Paul told the church at Ephesus, “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour” (Ephesians 5:1-2).  Because we are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14), each day we must present our bodies as a living sacrifice and as a sweet-smelling savor unto Him.  The writer of Hebrews admonishes us, “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name” (Hebrews 13:15).  Let your worship be as an instrument of continual praise unto Him.

Sing:  I worship You, Almighty God, there is none like You. I worship You, oh Prince of Peace, that is what I long to do, I give You praise, for You are my righteousness. I worship You, Almighty God, there is none like You.

Thought For Today:  Your offering must always be mixed with praise (Parker)