Personally, there are incense “scents” I like, or fragrant, lovely, scents in my aromatherapy vessel, but there are others that just don’t “float my boat.” Quite unpleasant. Psalm 141:2 says, “God come close. Come quickly. Open your ears, it’s my voice you’re hearing.  Treat my prayer as sweet incense rising; my raised hands are my evening prayer.” Ancient traditions used incense often as part of their worship ceremonies. Some churches still use incense in their services. Raised hands and incense are often facets of worship. In those times, when offered sacrifices were brought to the temples, sweet smelling incense was sometimes used, attendees believed the scented smoke reached the heavens. Raised hands were also a display of the offering of oneself to God.

I do not bring incense to my worship Sunday mornings but I do, at times, raise my hands in praise to my Lord. Are either of these ancient traditions required for God to hear me or see me? The answer is no. Different denominations of “religion,” have many varied …” this is the way we worship in this congregation.” My personal thoughts are the psalmist was just informing us of his way of worshiping God. God wants us, broken sinners that we are, to KNOW He is our Father, Abba, God, Omnipotent, Holy One. How ever we choose to bow before Him, lying prostrate on a floor, kneeling by our bed, in a pew at our church, raising our hands, inhaling sweet aromas of incense, He chose us! We are loved unconditionally by Him. Worship Him. Praise Him. Share the Good News of our loving Savior who was sent to die for our sins. May healing and forgiveness be yours through Him. Raise your hands and smell the sweet incense of The Gift.

Jill