And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Colossians 3:23
In the Old Testament, the offerings of the Lord in the Holy Place
were significant of dedication to Him.
God had very particular ways that He required
the priests to present the offerings to Him.
The aroma of the burnt offerings were pleasing to Him.
There were times when God was not pleased:
Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto Me;
the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with;
it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. Isaiah 1:13
It’s all about their hearts, if people did things to go through the motions
and not from their heart, God was not pleased.
God is never pleased with just going through the motions
or meaningless repetitions:
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do:
for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Matthew 6:7
If you think of a person you know, a loved one,
would that person want to be around you
if you always said the same things over and over?
Not a soul.
Jesus is alive.
He is smarter and more interesting than any other.
So, to say the same thing over and over with no heart, no soul?
Why would anyone take pleasure in that?
Spend some time getting to know who He is
and think of your relationship like an earthly relationship,
coupled with the reverence of God and you’ll be on the right track.
Consider your time with God as a gift to Him and make it count.
God, as always, is looking on our hearts.
When Jesus was born, we know of the wisemen who brought gifts:
And when they were come into the house,
they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down,
and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures,
they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
Matthew 2:11
Think of your prayers as a gift to God.
And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord?
And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up
for a memorial before God. Acts 10:4
The pleasant aroma still rises to Heaven.
And when He had taken the book,
the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb,
having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours,
which are the prayers of saints. Revelation 5:8
We each offer Oblations to God.
While prayer is key, the way we walk on the Earth is also pleasing
or displeasing to Jesus.
Oblations can also be doing acts for Him, such as loving our enemies.
Loving your enemies is a sacrifice to God.
And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us,
and hath given Himself for us an offering
and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. Ephesians 5:2
Are your Oblations pleasing to Him?
Who is the only One who knows the answer to that question?
Check in with Him often, make sure you are on the right track,
check your heart and judge your motives.
Are you giving your best when you give God your Oblations?
Are your Oblations sufficient?
Only God knows what He requires of you.
Nobody else can tell you.
Seek Him and He will make His will known unto you.
He will let you know if your Oblations are a pleasant aroma to Him.