Rest and Action

“Accept my prayer as incense offered to you and my upraised hands as an evening sacrifice.”

(Psalm 141:2)

Perhaps the greatest example of true rest and true action is to be found in the place of worship! The reason for this is simple – it is the closest engagement with the purposes of heaven that we will find on earth.

The pinnacle of worship in the Old Testament occurred in the Holy Place of the tabernacle or temple. Incredibly the tabernacle was designed after the pattern of things in heaven! One of the few pieces of furniture found here was the altar of incense - a place where, morning and evening, incense (worship) was offered to God.

This altar was constructed from the same kind of wood as another altar - the altar of sacrifice, suggesting a foundational relationship. However, the altar of incense was overlaid with gold while the altar of sacrifice was overlaid with bronze - indicating that worship is of greater importance than sacrifice – a fact which is confirmed in various places throughout the bible. This altar is also referred to as - “The Lord’s supremely holy altar.” (See – Exodus 30:10).

In a brief glimpse of heaven in the book of Revelation we see, among other things – the original altar of incense. And, John tells us that it is “before the throne” (Revelation 8:3) - a place of intimacy as well as of great importance in the economy of heaven and to the heart of The Father.

The vital importance of this altar is confirmed when John, in vision, becomes privy to its purpose and true meaning. Far from being a place of inaction - the whole weight of world history and the earth shattering events he witnesses flow from the service performed here. This is the place where true worship mixed with the prayers of the people of God (Psalm 141:2) ascend to the very presence of God – as a sweet offering – the result of which is God empowered action. What will be true then is true now. If we would see God work in our lives, communities and nations – if we would see God act on our behalf – we must give total priority to the place of worship!