OUR DAILY BREAD : A VOICE IN THE NIGHT

[cimi]

SUNDAY JUNE 28


A VOICE IN THE NIGHT

READ:
Psalm 134:2
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Lift up your hands
in the sanctuary,
and bless the
LORD!
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Psalm 134 has only three verses, but it is proof that little things can mean a lot. The first two verses are an admonition to the priests who serve in God's house night after night. The building was dark and empty; nothing of consequence was occurring__or so it seemed. Yet these ministers were encouraged to "lift up [their] hands to the holy place and bless the LORD!" (v.2 ESV). The third verse is a voice from the congregation calling into the darkness and loneliness of the night: "The LORD who made heaven and earth bless you."

I think of other servants of the Lord today_pastors and their families who serve in small churches in small places. They're often discouraged, tempted to lose heart, doing their best, serving unnoticed and unrewarded. They wonder if anyone cares what they're doing; if anyone ever thinks of them, prays for them, or considers them a part of their lives.

I would say to them__and to anyone who is feeling lonely or insignificant: Though your place is small, it is a holy place. The one who made and moves heaven and earth is at work in and through you. "Lift up your hands: and praise Him. __David Roper

**lord, show me how I can be an encourager of others who
might feel they are in a "small" place. Let them know their lives
leave an eternal impact on those they serve.
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Anyone doing God's work in God's way is important in His sight.

********************************Today's Bible Reading __ Psalm 134******************************
1 Behold, bless the LORD, all you 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!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Psalms can be instructive in describing various
expressions of worship. Today's psalm encourages those who
are involved in ministry in the temple to lift up their hands. This
psalm is descriptive and tells us what is happening, rather than
prescriptive telling us what should happen. We are not wrong if we
do not hold up our hands in worship, but we have the freedom to
use this expression of praise to God.