[Anglican Communion 19 May 2020] Topic: A Pleasing Aroma To The Lord

Posted by: Henry || Categories: Devotional

TOPIC: A Pleasing Aroma To The Lord

READ: GENESIS 8:20-22 (NKJV)

20. Then Noah built an altar to the LORD, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.
21. And the LORD smelled a soothing aroma. Then the LORD said in His heart, “I will never again curse the ground for man’s sake, although the imagination of man’s heart [is] evil from his youth; nor will I again destroy every living thing as I have done.
22. “While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease.”

THE MESSAGE:

Noah’s obedience to God resulted in the deliverance of his family, and pairs of several animals (Genesis 6 to 8). All other people and living creatures perished. They spent 244 days (over 8 months) in the ark, consisting of 40 days torrential rains, 150 days of flooding, and 54 days of waiting for dry land (Genesis 7:17, Genesis 7:24; Genesis 8:6, Genesis 8:10, Genesis 8:12). Once outside the ark, Noah built an altar to thank God for such a mighty deliverance!

Why was Noah’s sacrifice “a pleasing aroma” to the Lord (verse 21), unlike that of Cain or Nadab and Abihu? (see Genesis 4:4-7; Leviticus 10:1-2). 1 Samuel 15: 20-23 and Psalm 51:16-19 show that God’s interest is not in the sacrifice itself, but in the worshipper’s obedience, dedication and consecration. God owns all “cattle on a thousand hills”, ourselves and all that we have (Psalm 50:8-13). God accepted Noah’s sacrifice and made a solemn pledge in verse 21 never again to destroy all living creatures! God also said that the earth’s seasons and day/night will never cease (verses 22)! Is each sacrifice, offering or contribution you make for God’s work a pleasing aroma to Him? To ensure this, be a living sacrifice to God (Romans 12:1-2).

PRAYER: Take my life and let it be, Consecrated, Lord to Thee… (A&M 361)

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