Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on [the altar]. Every morning . . . he shall burn it, and . . . at twilight, he shall burn it. —Exodus 30:7–8
Life is filled with daily routines. Every day you get up, brush your teeth, and get dressed. You eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The Old Testament priests also had regular routines they had to perform. One of them was to offer incense on the temple of the Lord each day. This incense spoke of the praise and prayers of a redeemed people ascending up to God. It wasn’t to be offered whenever the priest happened to think of it but every morning and every night.
Why did it matter to God if they occasionally missed a day or two? Because He was pursuing a relationship with His people. And He knew that required consistent, daily communication.
It was this incense that the high priest carried with him when he entered into the Holy of Holies once a year on the Day of Atonement. And so we are invited to enter into His holy presence, taking with us the incense of praise and prayer regularly offered up to God.
Make it Personal
Are you consistently communicating with God in prayer and through His Word? How can you make this part of your daily routine?