Some of us know what it is like to work the night shift, when we’re on the job while everyone else is resting or relaxing. We might even feel like we are on the night shift when we can’t get to sleep at night, and we toss and turn and just lie there with all kinds of thoughts and concerns racing through our mind.

In Psalm 134 we find ourselves on the night shift in the temple in Jerusalem along with perhaps 270 men who were responsible to burn incense on the altar, and to worship and to maintain the temple at night. As servants of the Lord, these men were responsible to watch and to pray and to give thanks to the Lord at night, somewhat like Paul and Silas, who prayed and sang hymns of praise to God at midnight while they were imprisoned in the city of Philippi for their testimony for Jesus.

Psalm 134 is a call for us to offer our praise and our thanksgiving to the Lord day and night. It’s a reminder that our worship should never cease, and that those of us who belong to the Lord should stir up our heart and draw near to Him and lift up His name in adoration, and in deed and devotion to Him. So even in the quietness of the solitude of night when no one else is around that time can become a special and unique time for us.

We are told by the psalmist to be mindful that we are on holy ground as we stand before the Lord our God. So consider how you spend your time. Be diligent and stay on guard. Devote yourself to Him day and night. Give Him the praise He deserves. It is easy to become consumed by the things of this world that fill our time and our minds. In the end, these are things that have no eternal value.

So, we bless the Lord and kneel before Him, with hearts that are overflowing with affection and gratitude for who He is and for all that He has done for us. We must be mindful not to minister to others and lead them to worship, while neglecting our own relationship with the Lord and serving Him out of obligation. Be sure to spend time with Him in the quietness of the night while others are asleep.

It is a sad truth today that it seems like the people of God are asleep day and night. But don’t be discouraged, for even in the darkness of the night, the Lord will bless us as we seek His face. He will bless us as we seek His mercy and His grace. He will bless us as we praise Him for the privilege of serving Him. If we don’t praise Him, then who will?

The psalmist also encourages us to lift up our hands in the sanctuary, to lift up our hearts in holiness, set apart unto Him, determined to give glory to His name, and be committed to Him alone without anger and without confusion. We’re told in 1 Timothy 2:8 to be unpolluted and unstained by the evil of this world in simplicity and in purity in singleness of heart and mind.

Though the darkness of night has descended upon this world, our voice should echo throughout the night and bless the Lord just as the angels of heaven are around the throne of God worshiping Him day and night.

So we wait on Him. We wait on Him to answer our prayers. We expect that He will rain down His blessing upon us, as the day of His return draws near. The Lord will bless us from Zion, for He is near to us. May the sweet fragrance of His presence linger in our hearts while we confidently go forth in His strength, for it is He who made heaven and earth. He is the creator and the sustainer of all things. The One who blesses us today is the One who has all power and all might, so whom shall we fear?

We’re reminded at the end of Numbers Chapter 6, “May the Lord bless you and keep you. May He make His face shine upon you. May He be gracious to you, and give you peace.” Peace with God. Peace that is only found in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.