Day 326 Sweet-Smelling Aroma

 

11/22/2025

"Indeed I have all and abound. I am full,

having received from Epaphroditus the things sent

from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an

acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. "

Philippians 4:18

 

It's the "little things" we do that often speak more loudly to someone who may be having a not-so-easy time of it, or perhaps someone who is lonely even though she spends her free time helping others. She knows what it's like living alone, never receiving visitors, not even family. Many people who have been living independently for years, now in their later years, are learning that being able to get around is getting harder, and they are now in need of assistance for daily support for groceries, errands, and transportation. Paul, who was in prison, found himself in need of support and assistance, and he wrote the letter to the Philippians thanking them for their support in sending the items that he needed. Paul described their gift as "an acceptable sacrifice" and "a sweet-smelling aroma." In the Old Testament God considered burnt sacrifices that were acceptable to Him as sweet-smelling aromas rising to Him as incense. The animal sacrifices were offered by the people as worshipers showing their loyalty and relationship with God. In the New Testament spiritual sacrifices are offered to God as prayer, worship, and generous giving. The difference is that Jesus Christ made Himself the once and for all sacrifice.

"Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma." (Ephesians 5:1-2)

In Psalm 51 King David cries out to God in repentance after the prophet Nathan confronts him of his sin with Bathsheba. As David prays he speaks of the kind of sacrifice that is acceptable to God:

"Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Your praise. For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart - these, O God, You will not despise." (Psalm 51:14-17

Throughout scripture God is more concerned with the condition of one's heart than with any act of sacrifice or what a man looked liked physically, or any superficial or external characteristic man considered important. Scripture says that a man's heart is deceitfully wicked, and that we are conceived in sin. While this is true, we are born in the sinful flesh, but when we receive Christ as Savior and Lord, and as we grow in our personal relationship with the Lord, we are transformed by the renewing of our minds, and we are changed into his character, as the verse in Ephesians above states. To God that is a sweet-smelling aroma, a sacrifice that is worthy.

When I consider pleasant aromas, I think of a pot of steaming coffee brewing in the kitchen, ready when I wake up in the morning. Autumn is my favorite season of the year when camp fires glow, as we roast marshmallows over the burning coals, or seasoned pinon in the fireplace warming the chill of the nippy autumn nights. But my absolute favorite smell is that of green chili roasting on the grill in late summer. Each year I order my box of fresh green chili from Hatch, New Mexico so I can roast and freeze it for my foods all year long. The smell is incredible, and I know God must love it also! If the smell of food arouses our senses, imagine what a life of prayer, worship or sacrifice means to God.

In Revelation 5:8 when The Lamb (Jesus) takes the scroll, as He is the only one worthy, and the writer speaks of prayers presented to God as incense:

"Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints." 

Revelation 8:3-4 further describes:

"Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand." 

Both of these scriptures represent the response God feels from the prayers of His saints. Our prayers are offered up to Him as sacrifices of praise, forgiveness, supplication, surrender, salvation, thanksgiving, and worship. When we come to Him in humility, seeking His presence, our prayers arise as sweet-smelling fragrances - the aroma of prayer and intercession.

In the book of Leviticus we read about the offerings to be presented to the Lord - the burnt offering from the flock, the grain offering, the peace offering, the sin offering, and the guilt offering. These sacrifices were presented to the Lord to express thanksgiving, to repent for sins, and to maintain a relationship with the Lord. Each time the priest would present the offering burning it before the Lord, it was to Him a sweet-smelling aroma. When Jesus became the propitiation for our sins, and He paid our sins in full, the need for other sacrifices was no longer required. He became the Passover Lamb who died for all our sins, and who rose again to bring newness of life to all who love and serve Him. 

I pray that my life, surrendered to His will, and my prayers offered up to Him in humility and repentance, seeking His face, His presence, rise to Him and are accepted as sweet-smelling aromas thanking Him for His love and amazing grace.