It Smells Good! Or does it?

Sometimes we don’t realize how our lives appear before the Living God. What does He require? What does He want?

Daily Bible reading: Leviticus 1-8

SCRIPTURE

And he shall bring it to Aaron’s sons the priests: and he shall take therefrom his handful of the flour thereof, and of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof; and the priest shall burn the memorial of it upon the altar, to be an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the LORD. [Lev. 2:2]. “…he shall put no oil upon it, neither shall he put any frankincense thereon: for it is a sin offering.” [Lev. 5:11]

OBSERVATION
These two Scriptures so intrigued me. The first Scripture is actually speaking of the Meat Offering. God says, “put some oil on it and some of that frankincense on it, that I like!” But did God change His mind about the next offering? “What God? No oil or frankincense on this one? What’s wrong?” But the Scripture is clear. It was a Sin Offering. The first one was a “sweet savor unto the Lord”. It was a freewill offering. But the Sin Offering? God says, “Naw, your offering sticks to me! Sure I’ll accept it and cleanse your sin, but there’s nothing sweet about it!”

APPLICATION
I began to think how that my praise and worship must be a little like the Meat Offering – I don’t have to do it, but I give Him a Praise Offering, and God says, “Oh, that smells wonderful! Oh, I like it, I like it!!” But when I sin? I come and offer my sin up to God – asking Him to forgive me. Sure, it’s still a sacrifice, and God will accept it, but to Him – SIN STINKS! How I long to bring something to God that He enjoys. Not just my sin. He deserves something better than that.

PRAYER
“O Lord, forgive me for the many times I’ve simply given You a Sin Offering, and neglected to give you a Thank Offering, or a Praise Offering. You are worthy of so much more. Let my life be a fragrant aroma to You, and not a stench that You merely put up with. Today I give You everything, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.”