4/29 Devotions in Exodus

Exodus 30 The “Incense” of Prayer

And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon: of shittim wood shalt thou make it. (v. 1)

The “altar of incense” as it is commonly called, was to symbolize the sweet “aroma” of the prayers of God’s people, (see Rev. 8:3). These are indeed, a “sweet smelling savor” unto the Lord. God loves to hear us pray. We owe it to God to pray! It is not only our duty, but a great privilege to come before Him and lay our petitions at His feet. It ought to be our greatest joy. Do you want to stir God to action on your behalf? Then pray. There is little sweeter than the prayers of God’s people offered up on the altar of tears, as a sweet incense to the Lord. Many times through these chapters, we can see admonitions to prayer. The Old Testament, as well as the New, are full of examples and admonitions toward prayer. We ought to be a praying people. One cannot say enough on this subject, and I foresee several more lessons on it in the future with these writings. The Bible is a Book of prayer.

You may say, “I don’t know how to pray, or what to pray about” but friend, try it, and God will listen. In Matthew 6 we see a great example of the model prayer, which, no doubt, we will be hearing more about later. In this example we are told to address our prayer to the “Father” and, as many preachers have taught, we pray to the Father, in the name of the Son, and through the power of the Holy Ghost. Try it, God will help you. After all, He wants you to pray.

Many things are covered in these chapters, some over and over again, but of all of them, prayer seems to stand paramount among the rest. Not to ignore the blood of the sacrifice (of Christ), but without prayer we do not enter under the blood, and find no redemption. (Rom. 10:13). We must call upon Christ in prayer, before we can fully appreciate the sacrificial blood of the Lamb of God. Of all doctrines we find in these sacred texts, each having it’s own significance, prayer stands alone, above the rest. Without prayer the preaching is powerless; without prayer fasting is a ritual; without prayer, separation is a turning over a new leaf, and not a holy thing; without prayer, the altar of sacrifice means little; and without prayer, there is no desire for the Word of God, except in a watered-down fashion perhaps. Make prayer a part of your life.