These thoughts have been coming to mind for some time. There are so many Scriptural references in Ex., Lev., and Num.
e.g. Leviticus 2:2-9 -- A sacrifice burned on the altar, an offering made by fire yields a sweet and satisfying fragrance to the Lord.
Genesis 8:20-21 -- Noah took clean animals for a burnt offering and the Lord smelled the pleasing odor, a scent of satisfaction to His heart.
It seems incredible that when we are going through times of suffering and trial, we can actually be a pleasing and heart-satisfying fragrance to the Lord of the universe. We are clean, cleansed by the precious Blood of our loving Saviour. The circumstances of our lives are planned by our gracious heavenly Father. We are enabled by the comforting Holy Spirit even while feeling His refining fire.
But then what can we do, what should we do when the pain gets worse and the flames get higher and the fire gets hotter? Hang in there, surrender, trust Him. In mutual sharing inhale some of the aroma which satisfies the heart of God.
What was it about the ancient sacrifices that made them a sweet aroma to God? Well of course, it was not those actual animals. They were just a foreshadowing of the real Sacrifice Who was to come, the precious, holy Lamb of God. He and He alone would bear away the vile, loathsome sin of the world. How is it that God, Who loves us and purposes to shield us from every meaningless hurt, can inhale sweet fragrance during our times of suffering? Take yourself to the Cross and linger there in meditation. Only at the Cross does suffering make sense. Faith that is not tested is not faith at all; it is only shallow sentiment.
The trial of our faith (1 Peter 1:7) produces everlasting gold, a treasure beyond our
understanding that will last for eternity. How come? Jesus sacrificed Himself for us for a far greater purpose than just keeping us out of Hell (Galatians 1:4-5). It is mostly in the times of adversity and trial that the Holy Spirit can do His refining work, ridding us more and more of all the dross, revealing in us more and more (Galatians 5:22-23) the lovely characteristics of Jesus. Scripture and Church history teach us that God has not yet accomplished everything He wants to do in this world through suffering (Colossians 1:24). As God sees His workmanship continue, Christ being formed in us (Galatians 4:19), He is pleased as the perfume of the Christ-Life pervades our being. The glory of every situation is the grand possibility of "Jesus revealed in me." It's all about Jesus.
Where will all this lead?
(2 Corinthians 2:14-15) Because of Christ's victory for us and in us, we can become a sweet fragrance of Christ unto God, a fragrance which will be discernible to those around us. But there's more, much more!
Jesus Himself has promised (Revelation 3:4) that those who remain true will walk with Him in white.
I remember that Adam walked with God in the garden in the cool of the day. But one day, one catastrophic day which altered history forever, Adam heard God walking, calling him and he hid in shame and fear.
In the stupendous provision of God, once again we can walk with Him NOW clothed in white -- the righteousness of Jesus. However this is only the beginning. What will it be like to walk with Jesus in Heaven? Two individuals walking together take the time and the interest for personal sharing.
The promise of Jesus assures me that no matter how many millions there'll be in Heaven, each one of us will have deep, intimate, personal, heart-thrilling closeness and fellowship with Him.