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Daily Devotional - July 9, 2025

The Biblical Significance of Incense: A Closer Look

7/9/25

Good morning, Friends, 

Jonah 2:1-2 -[1] Then Jonah prayed to Yahweh his God from the stomach of the fish, [2] and he said, “I called out of my distress to Yahweh, And He answered me. I cried for help from the belly of Sheol; You heard my voice.

Even in the midst of self -induced tribulation, Yahweh still heard Jonah's prayer. Jonah got himself tangled up in his own rebellion. The consequence was catastrophic and Jonah knew that the ONLY way out of it was accountability ( taking ownership) and submitting  to Yahweh. 

Friends, does this sound familiar? Have you ever been at a place in your life where you have got yourself into trouble? Maybe you've been in a place where you have brought on difficulty and it has also affected the people around you. We can learn from this situation in a which Jonah got himself entangled. Disobedience and rebellion will always bring on tough consequences. When Yahweh has given us commands to follow and we choose to do what we want to do instead, there's a price to be paid. 

Let us take this as a learning experience. Many of us have traveled down this road, however, today, we can choose a different path. We have an opportunity to read the word of God and to put it into action. We have the ability to learn from the mistakes of others. We have the grace to grow through the examples provided by biblical history. 

One of the important things to also reflect on is the grace of Yahweh. In the midst of Jonah's rebellion, he heard Jonah's prayers. Our prayers are like incense flowing upward to Him. Behold the mercy and grace of Yahweh, that He would allow Jonah's contrite prayer into His midst, after a blatant act of rebellion. He saw through Jonah's rebellion and granted him mercy in the time of trouble. Jonah was literally living on the edge. Don't put ourselves in situations where Yahweh turns away from your prayers. 

There is nothing new under the sun. We may have technological advances and sneakier ways to rebel against Yahweh, but the end result will always remain the same.

Full submission to the word of Yahweh is essential. 
Full compliance to the word of Yahweh is required. 

Maranatha (The Lord is coming)  
Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)

- Grace & Peace
Pastor Trent

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