The Scent of Water

A scent is a distinctive smell, especially one that is pleasant to those around the fragrance. Some scents are smells that naturally occur, meaning, it cannot be produced on your own. A sweet savor unto the Lord is our spiritual offering made with the fire of Holy Love. This was a part of an almsgiving offering. Such a sacrifice to the Lord is pleasing.  An almsgiving may be more than just your money.  It may also be your time or resources. Water is odorless, however, it takes on the smell of the vessel it is in. The scent of water is a supernatural transformation within every believer. In Hebrew, the phrase sweet aroma is "rayach nichoach." The Hebrew word for fragrant is "ray -ach." Ray-ach originates from the root word, ruach.  This is where we get Ruach HaKodesh, also known as, Spirit of the Holy One. This is important to understand as we can do nothing on our own. Ruach HaKodesh's indwelling enables us to become a sweet aroma unto the Lord.

2 Corinthians 2:14-15

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us spreads and makes evident everywhere the sweet fragrance of the knowledge of Him. For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ [which ascends] to God, [discernible both] among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.

A fragrance refers to a good smell or a sweet smell. Sweet incense was burned on the altar of incense in the Tabernacle. Although, a fragrance and a scent are different, both leave a trail of evidence of a lingering effect. I want to give you a couple of keys to ensure that the water in your vessel has a sweet smell. First, it always starts with Jesus and being one with Him. He should be evident in every area of your life. Take the time to know your Savior.  Take the time to become friends with your Savior. Get into His Word.  Meditate on Scripture.  Apply His Word to your daily life.  Second, Praise and Worship.  Praise and worship are more than singing songs to the Lord.  There are many forms of worship: obedience, submission, simplicity, celebration and study are just a few ways to worship the Lord. Praise is lifting up the Lord. To glorify Him. To magnify Him. Praise and worship are a posture that we take before the Lord. It is a lifestyle. A submissive life to the Lord is built on trust in His leadership, guidance, and sovereign rule over you. A submissive life to the Lord is a posture of yielding to Him in every way. Letting go of the things of this world and taking on His ways as our own. 

Exodus 29:18

And you shall burn the whole ram on the altar. It is a burnt offering to the Lord it is a sweet and soothing aroma, an offering by the fire to the Lord.

In the Old Testament, a burnt meal and a peace offerings were a sweet aroma to God.  Understand that they represent devotion to the Lord and not sin. Sacrifice to the Lord is important. But it is the BURNT part that I want to focus on. In Hebrew, the word for burnt offering is "ola" which means that the entire animal was to be consumed by the fire. Not partially consumed. It had to be entirely consumed.  I repeat, that burnt is defined as being destroyed or made black by fire.  To be burnt is to be fully consumed.  God is an All-Consuming Fire. It is amazing when you look at the many examples throughout the Scriptures, we see how the fire of God is all-consuming and doesn’t cause any bodily harm. We see this multiple times throughout Scripture in Exodus 3:2, Exodus 13 and Acts 2:3. The fire of God represents so many things.  I want to focus on His fire that reveals His glory.  So when we go through the fiery tests and trials, our identity will transform. The world will tell you that you are burnt and to look in the mirror. Those around you can say it is okay to quit or be angry. However, I am here to engage that according to Scripture, you will not be scorched, harmed, an in fact, the sweetest thing is produced within.  It is a sweet and pleasing smell to God. He is taking delight in your scent.  The fire has burned off any lingering debris and now only Gold is left behind.

Job 23:10

But He knows the way that I take [and He pays attention to it]. When He has tried me, I will come forth as [refined] gold [pure and luminous].

We have close and intimate covenant relationship with the Lord. He calls you His own. The Lord made a Covenant with you and I. We belong to Him. He covers us and removes the stain of sin. He bathes us with water and then seals us in precious oil. The anointing is coming upon you. It is by the Holy Spirit that permanent change within us takes place. A transformational transition. Leaving behind the old and becoming the new. 

Ezekiel 16:8-9   

Then I passed by you [again] and looked on you; behold, you were maturing and at the time for love, and I spread My skirt over you and covered your nakedness.  “Yes, I swore [an oath] to you and entered into a covenant with you,” says the Lord God, “and you became Mine.”  Then I washed you with water; yes, I [thoroughly] washed away from you the [clinging] blood and anointed you with oil.  

Challenge

What is your aroma? Is it pleasing to the Lord?  Take this week to ask the Lord to shift you and to turn any area that may be bitter into a sweet smell. I pray that everyone reading this is awakened to the fact you are created to be a pleasing and sweet smell to the Father. 

Ask the Lord to give you a new perspective. To see how He sees. To hear what He hears. Ask for open ears and eyes. Any sin in our lives taints our fragrance. This week, focus on allowing the cleansing water to wash over you. Purifying your scent. Let us be known to the Lord as those who are pleasing to Him. A fragrant offering to our King. 

Scripture Meditation:

Job 14:9

Yet at the scent of water [the stump of the tree] will flourish and bring forth sprigs and shoots like a seedling.

One commentary broke down this Scripture to mean that water from heaven brings forth life. Become refreshed by the water, you are revived by the grateful odors when one is weak.  Life will spring up again. Be encouraged that last month we took a month to soak in the Living Water, which prepared us to be a sweet fragrance unto the Lord. 

Let's Pray:

Dear Jesus, help me to trust you in the fire. Jesus, I want the consuming fire of God to burn in all areas of my life. I welcome Your fire to refine me and transform me. Make me new in the fire. Produce a sweet smell within me Lord. Let our lives release an aroma to all those around us. I love you, Jesus.

In Your Mighty name Jesus, amen.