The altar of incense, according to Exodus 30, is to have two specific purposes. The priests are to daily burn incense, and only incense, morning and night, and once a year they are to make atonement on the altar.

I want to look at the daily offering first. It was to be nothing but incense. No other sacrifice or offering was to mix with it.

In the book of Revelation, we read about bowls full of incense. We are told that incense is the prayers of the saints (Revelation 8:4). Day and night the incense went up as a prayer to God.

Our prayers are to be our incense offering, day and night. Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16). In everything make your requests to God (Philippians 4:6).

Picture the smoke rising. It’s a connection between heaven and earth. The trail extends between them. Prayer is our connection with God.

It’s one thing to know Christ dwells in you, but it’s quite another to live in fellowship, in communion, in communication with God. It happens through prayer.

Bible reading is just gaining empty knowledge without the conversation of the Spirit bringing it to life.

Good deeds, ministry, and all our good works of service are just selfish gains without being done in the love of Christ that comes from His life pouring through us. That only happens with communion, with fellowship, with that time in prayer where we are lifted up.

Let incense arise from your lips and heart today and always.