A Wonderful Aroma

So many things in this world have amazing aromas. Some that come immediately to mind include a bouquet of flowers, fresh-cut evergreens, a cup of freshly brewed coffee, fresh-baked bread and meat hot off the grill. In and of themselves each of these scents are amazing. What can truly enhance these fragrances is when the aromatic item is presented to me as a gift from someone that I love. Flowers, even dandelions, picked and presented to me when my son was small smelled sweeter than any florist’s shop. A hot cup of coffee, fixed the way I like it, delivered by my husband on a chilly morning tastes better than any offering from a gourmet coffee house. The aroma is heightened to new levels by the love that delivers it.

 In the Old Testament there are more than 35 references to aroma or fragrance connected with sacrifices and offerings to the Lord. The first of these appears in Genesis. “And Noah built an altar to the Lord and took of every clean [four-footed] animal and of every clean fowl or bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar. When the Lord smelled the pleasing odor [a scent of satisfaction to His heart], the Lord said to Himself, I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the imagination (the strong desire) of man's heart is evil and wicked from his youth; neither will I ever again smite and destroy every living thing, as I have done.” (Genesis 8:20-21 AMP) The pleasing odor of Noah’s obedience brought a satisfying scent to God’s heart. At a time when so much sin and rebellion had brought judgment to the earth, Noah had brought a sacrifice of faith that was pleasing to the Lord.  A study of these references to aromas that come before the Lord from obedient sacrifice include adjectives such as sweet, soothing, pleasing and satisfying. These all convey feelings of comfort, joy and contentment.

What is the intent of our hearts? Do we bring a sacrifice before God begrudgingly or with joyful, thanksgiving for the opportunity to serve the One who has done so much for us? Are we like a child just waiting for a chance to bring our work (as childlike as it may be) to our father as a surprise gift? Or do we go through the motions performing necessary actions with no heart behind them? The Lord is pleased when love is our motivation to serve Him. The heart full of love that initiates obedient service is what creates that sweet, soothing fragrance.

As in all things pertaining to love, Jesus is our best example. “Therefore be imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]. And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance.” (Ephesians 5:1-2 AMP) The selfless giving of Himself as payment for our sin was a beautiful sacrifice. When we imitate His example, our actions also become a sweet fragrance to our Heavenly Father. “But thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph [as trophies of Christ's victory] and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere, For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ [which exhales] unto God, [discernible alike] among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing:” 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 (AMP) The scent spreads to others around us.

 The apostle Paul also spoke of this when he thanked the Philippian believers for their gifts. “But I have [your full payment] and more; I have everything I need and am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent me. [They are the] fragrant odor of an offering and sacrifice which God welcomes and in which He delights.” Philippians 4:18 (AMP) Giving sacrificially to others creates a fragrance the Father gladly welcomes. Our selfless acts, given from a willing heart, are among God’s favorite aromas.

 Offerings to God are not judged on the skill or perfection of our performance.  We are to offer our very best from a heart of love that leads to obedient service to the Lord and others. Like an offering of dandelions from the loving, eager-to-please heart of a young child, our offering will be that sweet, soothing, pleasant fragrance to the Lord and bring a smile to His face.

 Walk through your day with a grateful heart, offering your service to God. You will also be a pleasant, satisfying fragrance to God.