Joy Unspeakable

Years ago we lived in a small upstairs apartment and the only telephone was on the wall in the kitchen. It may be hard for young people to imagine but then the ringing of the phone meant an important message and everyone in the family ran to answer it. Around midnight when we were all sound asleep, the phone began ringing. Concerned that it must be terribly important my wife shook me by the shoulder, ” Honey! Wake up! You have to get the phone!” she called.

Obediently I stumbled to the kitchen still half asleep without bothering to even flick on the light. By the time I picked up the receiver my mind couldn’t focus any longer and so I just mumbled something incoherent and hung it back on the hook. Then shuffling back across the dark apartment I plopped back in bed.

“So who was it?” Nancy asked.

Who was what?” I answered and fell fast asleep! This last year of the Covid-19 crisis reminds me of that phone call. Everything is dark and is seems like everyone is calling us to action but we are exhausted. Even when we do pick up the phone we no longer have the energy to hear what is being said. But God has great news for all of us fighting this invisible enemy that has sapped our strength. He has an unspeakable joy to give us that is full of glory. In fact the Bible tells us that the joy of the Lord is our strength!

Standing By Night

Come bless the Lord all you servants of the Lord. Who stand by night in the house of the Lord! Psalms 134:1 ESV

Seeing our precious seniors braving the chilly afternoon to sing and pray was such an encouragement. Here is a video clip of our meeting along with two of the most classic songs of all time on praise. All Creatures of our God and King and The Doxology have echoed down through the centuries through times far more perilous than ours and serve as an example and encouragement. Let’s stand by night together and no matter what we face be sure to Bless the Lord!

All creatures of our God and King

All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing
Oh, praise Him! Alleluia!

Thou burning sun with golden beam,
Thou silver moon with softer gleam,
O praise Him, O praise Him, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Thou rushing wind that art so strong, 
Ye clouds that sail in heav’n along,
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Thou rising morn in praise rejoice, 
Ye lights of evening, find a voice,
O sing ye, O sing ye, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

And ev’ryone, with tender heart, 
Forgiving others, take your part,
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
Sing praise and cast on God your care,
O sing ye, O sing ye, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

 Let all things their Creator bless, 
and worship God in humbleness,
Alleluia, Alleluia!
To God all thanks and praise belong!
Join in the everlasting song:
O praise Him, O praise Him, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Lyric poem by Saint Francis of Assisi 1225 (Canticle of the Sun)

William Draper paraphrase and music 1901

Come Bless the Lord

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

What can I say about today’s monthly outdoor worship at Sunshine Christian Retirement Village? It was cold (by Florida standards) and we were old! The breezy not quite 60 degree weather had us shivering between hymns – but God showed up! We sang, heard each other’s prayer requests and heard from the word. At the beginning of this New Year it seemed wholly appropriate to begin by singing A Mighty Fortress is Our God. Between chattering teeth, Luther’s classic hymn reminded us that opposition to the church is not unusual, in fact it has been standard operating procedure throughout the centuries.

Then we began the praise chorus from Psalm 134, “Come Bless the Lord.” In order to understand what the Psalmist wrote it is important to know that these servants were specifically chosen from the family of Asaph and their duty was both to guard and to give praise to the Lord in the temple both day and night. In this Psalm these musicians and guards had their duties at night, so maybe you could think of them as third shift worshipers!

Are you going through a dark third shift night in your life? Maybe during this time, God is giving you the opportunity to be one of his special servants who stand by night. Maybe your praise in the nighttime seasons gives God the opportunity to show others His grace and glory in a world that so desperately needs the light of the love of Jesus Christ. If you have not heard this little chorus I have posted a fun link to listen to. It is one of my favorites. God bless you and have a blessed Lord’s day as you stand both day and night in the house of the Lord!

Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the Lord! May the Lord bless you from Zion, he who made heaven and earth! Psalm 134: 2-3