. . . blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. | ||
| Song of Solomon 4:16 (b) | ||
| At Applegate Lake, I was sitting on the grass when, all of a sudden, I smelled something. My mouth began to water and my stomach started to growl as the fragrance of barbecued steak worked its way down the hillside into my nostrils. So too, when the winds of adversity and difficulty blow through our lives, a fragrance is released. It is either a foul odor of bitterness and hostility, jealousy and anger, or it is the sweet-smelling savor of praise and thanksgiving, worship and adoration. You see, the wind itself doesn’t determine what the fragrance will be. It merely releases the fragrance already present. Therefore, when I find bitterness, anger, jealousy, or hostility coming forth from my life, I must say, “Father, the problem isn’t him, her, them, or it. It’s me. Father, forgive me. I thought I was farther along than that. Oh, Lord, have mercy!” Gang, if instead of saying, “It’s his fault,” or “They don’t understand,” or “Why is she doing that?” you say, “Oh, Lord, the fragrance in my life is not what it should be. I repent, Father. Change my heart,” you will find a pleasing fragrance emanating from your life. Pastor Jon Courson | ||
