Remembering Before God

Daily Reading: Exodus 30-31

Scripture Focus: And Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it. Every morning when he dresses the lamps he shall burn it, and when Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight, he shall burn it, a regular incense offering before the Lord throughout your generations. (Exodus 30.7-8)

Devotional Thought: I often bemoan the distractions of smart phones, but whenever I open my phone, the latest picture of one of my kids or grandkids pops up on the screen. Inevitably a smile comes to my face, and I get distracted from my original intent. I'm so glad that my children have sent me those distractions to brighten my days!

Do you think that God enjoys distractions? I think so, but he doesn't need a cell phone to remind him. Perhaps he is distracted - or shall I say attracted - by the intercessory prayers of his children. God is waiting to hear the prayers of his children: "I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy... He inclined his ear to me." (Psalm 116).

The fragrant incense of Old Testament worship was symbolic of the prayers of God's people. (Rev. 5.8 describes it like this: "golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.") This incense was to be offered morning and evening. Intercessory prayer is a continual reminder before the throne of God. How comforting to know that when I pray for the people I love, it's like sending God a picture for his smart phone.

Do the people you love need the grace and help of God? Keep sending their 'pictures' to God. He will answer those prayers with his loving attention. Paul did it for the Thessalonians: "constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thessalonians 1.2-3).

Prayer: Father, I know that you love your children. Help me to be faithful to pray for them, sending you reminders of their needs all through the day. In Jesus' name.

Psalm of the Day: 50 He made a path for his anger; he did not spare them from death, but gave their lives over to the plague. 51 He struck down every firstborn in Egypt, the firstfruits of their strength in the tents of Ham. 52 Then he led out his people like sheep and guided them in the wilderness like a flock. 53 He led them in safety, so that they were not afraid, but the sea overwhelmed their enemies. 54 And he brought them to his holy land, to the mountain which his right hand had won. 55 He drove out nations before them; he apportioned them for a possession and settled the tribes of Israel in their tents. (Psalms 78:50-55)