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June 15th

The bible reading today is in Psalms 134, 146-150. Songs of Ascents sung by worshippers entering Jerusalem and by the worshippers as they left for home after their season in the city of David.

“Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand by night in the house of the Lord!” Psalm‬ ‭134:1‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Charles Spurgeon suggested that this psalm was sung by worshippers leaving for home before the sun came up while it was still dark. The travelers could see the burning lights of the Temple from their vantage point at the eastern gate.

The worshippers’ song was an exhortation to the “servants of the Lord” who stood their post at the Temple through the night. Thus the song was addressed to the priests inside the Temple and the Levites outside the House for God’s Name.

“Come...Behold...Bless...Praise...God... you servants of the Lord!

“You are our spiritual leaders. We need You to lead us in Praise to our God. We know that day and night you lift up your hands in prayer for us. And that is a most honorable work of the Lord.

But come now...stay awake...stay on guard for God’s Name and God’s people. Lift those same holy hands to God in zealous praise of Him and His mighty works. And we will follow your lead and praise Him on the Mount and away in our homes.

A song to the “servants” of the Lord. Let us listen to what Jesus called those who believed and followed him...John 12:26

“If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.”

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Let us listen to what Paul called Christians...“This is how one should regard us, as “servants of Christ” and stewards of the mysteries of God." ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭4:1‬ ‭

Friends, in Christ, we, like Paul and all the other first disciples, are “servants” of the Lord. Servants like the Lord. Mark 10:45.

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." ‭‭Mark‬ ‭10:45‬ ‭

Servants of the Lord, like Jesus, give themselves away for the sake of the gospel and the building up of the church.

So what does this song call us to do as servants of the Lord on this side of the cross? I heartily agree with the English reformed theologian Matthew Poole...1670s.

“Do not stand there like statues, silent and idle, but employ your hearts and tongues in singing forth praises unto the Lord.”

"Christian, you are partners with God in His work. What a privilege. You enjoy a nearness to God that comes with laboring together with Him. You receive special strength and anointing as you serve his will. You have new and exciting challenges of faith as you serve Him...from here to the ends of the earth.”

Praise the Lord” and as Spurgeon encouraged his church..."Praise should be added to all of our work with God.”

G Campbell Morgan understood the work of the servants of the Lord like this..."night and day, the priests snd Levites represented the larger body of worshippers throughout all of Israel. They raised their hands for God’s blessing in prayer."

The Israelis knew that, so they copied their leaders at home when they were away from the Temple. Teaching their children to lift their hands to receive the blessings asked for from God...learning prayer and faith.

But the Israelis also knew that the servants of the Lord added praise to their prayers for the many ways God had already blessed them. Learning blessing God and deep gratitude for God’s love and mercy.

Come fellow followers of Jesus...servants of God...let us add praise to God in every work we undertake with and for Him.

Have a great day