Worshiping at Night

It is my joy and privilege to share with you occasionally some thoughts from devotional writers I have enjoyed over the years. Today, I bring you the words of George Matheson, an insightful writer from a previous generation, on the subject of worship:

“Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD…May the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion” (Psalm 134:1, 3).

You may see this as a strange time to worship—“ministering by night in the house of the LORD.” Indeed, worshiping at night, during the depths of sorrows, is a difficult thing. Yet therein lies the blessing, for it is the test of perfect faith…

It is easy for me to worship in the summer sunshine, when the beautiful melodies of life seem to fill the air, and the lush fruit of life is still on the trees. But when the songbirds cease and the fruit falls from the trees, will my heart continue to sing? Will I remain in God’s House in (this) night? Will I love Him simply for who He is? Am I able to “keep watch for one hour” (Mark 14:37) with Him in His Gethsemane? Will I help Him carry His cross up the road of suffering to Calvary? Will I stand beside Him in His dying moments, with Mary, His mother, and John the beloved disciple? Would I be able, with Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, to take the dead Christ from His cross?

If I can do these things, then my worship is complete and my blessings glorious. Then I have indeed shown Him love during the time of His humiliation. My faith has seen Him in His lowest state, and yet my heart has recognized His majesty through His humble disguise. And at last I truly know that I desire not the gift but the Giver. Yes, when I can remain in His house through the darkness of night and worship Him, I have accepted Him for Himself alone.

Well said! Let us make it our aim to worship God Himself—who He is and not for how He can bless us. He is worthy of our Highest worship! Amen and Amen!

Devotedly yours,
Pastor Ron