A Pleasing Aroma

I Chronicles 16:37–43

“David left Asaph and his associates before the ark of the covenant of the LORD to minister there regularly, according to each day’s requirements. He also left Obed-Edom and his sixty-eight associates to minister with them. Obed-Edom son of Jeduthun, and also Hosah, were gatekeepers. David left Zadok the priest and his fellow priests before the tabernacle of the LORD at the high place in Gibeon to present burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar of burnt offering regularly, morning and evening, in accordance with everything written in the Law of the LORD, which He had given Israel. With them were Heman and Jeduthun and the rest of those chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the LORD, “for His love endures forever.” Heman and Jeduthun were responsible for the sounding of the trumpets and cymbals and for the playing of the other instruments for sacred song. The sons of Jeduthun were stationed at the gate. Then all the people left, each for their own home, and David returned home to bless his family.”

Bible commentator Matthew Henry writes, “the worship of God ought to be the work of every day. David put it into order. At Jerusalem, where the ark was, Asaph and his brethren were to minister before the ark continually, with songs of praise. No sacrifices were offered there, nor incense burnt, because the altars were not there; but David's prayers were directed as incense, and the lifting up of his hands as the evening sacrifice.” The Apostle Paul tells the Corinthian church, “our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to please God, who always leads us triumphantly as captives in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the desireable aroma of the knowledge of Him. (II Cor 2:15-16).” The praise, prayers and petitions that we send upward to God, our daily walk in worship is the incense we burn to produce a fragrance that pleases God. Our lives, our experience, and especially our response to all that we encounter are what potentially produces that which gives God pleasure and glory, He tells us through the prophet Ezekiel: “When I bring you from the peoples and gather you from the lands to which you have been scattered, I will accept you as a pleasing aroma. And I will show My holiness through you in the sight of the nations (Eze 20:41).” May we live a life of relentless worship of God, may we be conscious of His presence in everything we experience and always strive to live to glorify Him in what we think, say, and do. Let us “rejoice at all times. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus (I Thes 5:16–18).”