There is a subtle awareness in the night. The darkness around you does not sleep; it is awake, alert, sensing. It is alive to movement, and feels the changes in the air, the smell, the temperatures.”
–Louis L’Amour (North to the Rails)
“The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.”
–Matthew 4:16 (ESV)
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“Shadows tonight have struck more terror than can the substance of ten thousand soldiers.”
–William Shakespeare
My Grandpa was a night watchman for Western Cutlery. Why is it that companies have to hire someone to be a guard over the premises and the goods at night? Because, the night is when evil lurks about all the more, when evil is done more frequently. When you read Psalm 134, ponder the night watches where the shadows move about.
1 — Behold, bless the LORD, all your servants of the LORD, who by night stand in the house of the LORD!
2 — Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.
3 — The LORD who made heaven and earth bless you from Zion! (NKJV)
This is the last psalm of ascent. Perhaps darkness is falling as they finish their climb and see the Temple. Darkness is falling so they rush to the Temple before the doors close. Or maybe it is speaking of those who remain in the Temple after the pilgrims have made their sacrifice and are readying themselves to go home. Who are those who remain in the Temple? The priests. They remain, continuing to worship the Lord. They continue to worship after others have left.
Steven Lawson states that, “Worship is not to be a performance before men but a proclamation before God. It is not the entertainment of men but the exaltation of God.” How many times have I seen people doing “pogo-stick” worship to hype themselves, but also to show how “religious” they are. True worship must be “built upon the deep exposition of the Word.” (Lawson)
If you are in a dark time, or if you see darkness looming ahead, think for a moment not about the situation but about God’s Word. His Word is a lamp to your feet and a light to your path. (Psalm 119:105) If you want to get out of the darkness, get into the Word. If you want to worship in spirit and truth, get into the Word. I like what John MacArthur says regarding worship, “You must first take a church down deep in the Word if you would lead them up high in worship. The depth determines the height. The depth in the Word determines the height in worship. Shallowness in the Word leads to shallowness in worship.” The priests remain, worshiping for what has taken place, and then worshiping as they continue in their faithfulness to God.
Some of these priests doubtless were on “night guard.” I remember in basic training that possibly the worst thing that could happen was to fall asleep on guard duty at night. Woe to that person if caught. Worship must be a lifestyle; worship during the day, but also worship in the night. Worship in the good times of celebration, but also worship in times of distress and trouble. Worship when the house is full, yet continue to worship when you are alone.
The priests of the night time–what an awesome responsibility. George O. Wood explains this importance, “It’s the people who kept the night watch of intercession who now make it possible for you to enter: God’s special priests who do not punch the clock of duty, but who tarry long hours until every last pilgrim coming up the mountainside has had a chance to make it inside the gates of pearl.” These are those who do not walk off the job. These are the ones who are faithful in the night watch. There are those who may say, “that’s not my job,” ahh, but friend, we are to be a holy priesthood, therefore, we must be ready for the night watch when others are sleeping.
William J. Petersen relates, “Whether your way is shrouded in shadows, whether your work is completely in the dark, or whether you feel that you’re merely standing and waiting, your task is to bless the Lord anyway.” Some who are blind, in total darkness, often see more than those with eyes that are not blind. Read of Fanny Crosby who said, “If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow I would not accept it.” Another time she stated, “I sometimes think that blind people see more than their friends who have the power of vision.” Or look at the works of the blind poet John Milton who made this observation when he wrote “On His Blindness.” “Who best bear his mild yoke, they serve his best… They also serve who only stand and wait.”
“Bless, O my soul! the living God:
Call home thy thoughts that rove abroad;
Let all the powers within me join
In work and worship so divine.”
–Isaac Watts
“The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.”
–Matthew 4:16 (ESV)
———————————-
“Shadows tonight have struck more terror than can the substance of ten thousand soldiers.”
–William Shakespeare
My Grandpa was a night watchman for Western Cutlery. Why is it that companies have to hire someone to be a guard over the premises and the goods at night? Because, the night is when evil lurks about all the more, when evil is done more frequently. When you read Psalm 134, ponder the night watches where the shadows move about.
1 — Behold, bless the LORD, all your servants of the LORD, who by night stand in the house of the LORD!
2 — Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.
3 — The LORD who made heaven and earth bless you from Zion! (NKJV)
This is the last psalm of ascent. Perhaps darkness is falling as they finish their climb and see the Temple. Darkness is falling so they rush to the Temple before the doors close. Or maybe it is speaking of those who remain in the Temple after the pilgrims have made their sacrifice and are readying themselves to go home. Who are those who remain in the Temple? The priests. They remain, continuing to worship the Lord. They continue to worship after others have left.
Steven Lawson states that, “Worship is not to be a performance before men but a proclamation before God. It is not the entertainment of men but the exaltation of God.” How many times have I seen people doing “pogo-stick” worship to hype themselves, but also to show how “religious” they are. True worship must be “built upon the deep exposition of the Word.” (Lawson)
If you are in a dark time, or if you see darkness looming ahead, think for a moment not about the situation but about God’s Word. His Word is a lamp to your feet and a light to your path. (Psalm 119:105) If you want to get out of the darkness, get into the Word. If you want to worship in spirit and truth, get into the Word. I like what John MacArthur says regarding worship, “You must first take a church down deep in the Word if you would lead them up high in worship. The depth determines the height. The depth in the Word determines the height in worship. Shallowness in the Word leads to shallowness in worship.” The priests remain, worshiping for what has taken place, and then worshiping as they continue in their faithfulness to God.
Some of these priests doubtless were on “night guard.” I remember in basic training that possibly the worst thing that could happen was to fall asleep on guard duty at night. Woe to that person if caught. Worship must be a lifestyle; worship during the day, but also worship in the night. Worship in the good times of celebration, but also worship in times of distress and trouble. Worship when the house is full, yet continue to worship when you are alone.
The priests of the night time–what an awesome responsibility. George O. Wood explains this importance, “It’s the people who kept the night watch of intercession who now make it possible for you to enter: God’s special priests who do not punch the clock of duty, but who tarry long hours until every last pilgrim coming up the mountainside has had a chance to make it inside the gates of pearl.” These are those who do not walk off the job. These are the ones who are faithful in the night watch. There are those who may say, “that’s not my job,” ahh, but friend, we are to be a holy priesthood, therefore, we must be ready for the night watch when others are sleeping.
William J. Petersen relates, “Whether your way is shrouded in shadows, whether your work is completely in the dark, or whether you feel that you’re merely standing and waiting, your task is to bless the Lord anyway.” Some who are blind, in total darkness, often see more than those with eyes that are not blind. Read of Fanny Crosby who said, “If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow I would not accept it.” Another time she stated, “I sometimes think that blind people see more than their friends who have the power of vision.” Or look at the works of the blind poet John Milton who made this observation when he wrote “On His Blindness.” “Who best bear his mild yoke, they serve his best… They also serve who only stand and wait.”
“Bless, O my soul! the living God:
Call home thy thoughts that rove abroad;
Let all the powers within me join
In work and worship so divine.”
–Isaac Watts