June 23, 2024 -A Pleasing Aroma

2 Kings 4:18-5:27

Acts 15:1-35

Psalm 141:1-10

Proverbs 17:23

One Year Bible Audio & Daily Reading (oneyearbibleonline.com)

Psalm 141: 2 May my prayer be set before you like incense;

    may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.

 Set a guard over my mouth, Lord;

    keep watch over the door of my lips.

Our prayers like incense and like the evening sacrifice. Both a pleasing aroma to the Lord. How can we pray in a way that is a pleasing aroma to the Lord. It is tempting to pray according to our thoughts and understanding but prayer is to be more than a bunch of words that we say. When we pray we can start with asking God to guard our hearts minds and mouth that we would pray that which is a pleasing aroma to Him and according to His will.

“True prayer is neither a mere mental exercise nor a vocal performance. It is far deeper than that – it is spiritual transaction with The Creator of Heaven and Earth.” ~ Charles Spurgeon

I found the Spurgeon quote in another blog on this verse that spoke to my heart I hope that it speaks to yours as well.

May Our Prayers Be A Sweet Aroma Before THE LORD | "A SPIRIT-Kissed Soul" by Tai East (wordpress.com)

Psalm 141:4 Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil

    so that I take part in wicked deeds

along with those who are evildoers;

    do not let me eat their delicacies.

We are faced with temptation every day. Our prayers should acknowledge that and seek divine power to avoid them. And when we fall into them we need to confess and repent from them. The more we seek God and turn from sin the better our time with Him will be. The more easily will we pray according to His will.

Psalm 141:9 Keep me safe from the traps set by evildoers,

    from the snares they have laid for me.

Proverbs 17:23 The wicked accept bribes in secret

    to pervert the course of justice.

The enemy is always looking to distract us from God. The closer we walk with God the better we will be able to recognize those traps. The more in tune we will be with the prompting and direction of the Spirit within us. We will be more likely to put the first things first.