The Stink
In the movie Facing the Giants, Grant and Brooke Taylor had a stink in their home that they could not figure out where it was coming from. At the same time, their relationship with God had grown cold and they hadn’t even noticed. They lost sight of God while they were pursuing other interests. The stink in their home was a physical expression of their spiritual condition. Every time they walked in from outside, it would hit them in the face.
God’s Rebuke
God rebuked the children of Israel through the prophet Isaiah (65th chapter). They had grown rebellious and unresponsive, following their own evil paths and crooked schemes. They insulted God by worshipping idols and pagan gods. They ate food that was forbidden. They had a holier-than-thou attitude, and thought they were spiritually superior to others. In Isaiah 65:5 God says, "These people are a stench in My nostrils, an acrid (unpleasant) smell that never goes away.” The Lord said, “I was ready to respond but no one asked for help.”
When we attend worship without any remorse for the sin in our lives, it is a stench in God’s nostrils. When we act holier-than-thou like scribes and Pharisees, it is a stench in God’s nostrils.
Return To Our First Love
I love that verse in 2Cor. 2:15 that says, “We are to God the fragrance of Christ;” a sweet-smelling fragrance, not a stench in His nostrils.
In the movie I mentioned at the beginning of this blogpost, God led the couple to what was stinking up their house. It was after they finally came to realize through a number of incidences that they needed to return to their first love. If you have not seen Facing the Giants, I highly recommend it.
Prayer of Repentance
Jesus said in Rev. 2:5, “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.”
In David’s prayer of repentance in Psalm 51 he prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.” He’s repenting and praying for restoration and renewal.
The sacrifices of God, dear friend, are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart—these, O God, You will not despise. (Ps. 51:17)
May God richly bless you. Go in peace.