JULY 8
Psalm 134:1, “Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand by night in the house of the Lord!”
On any given Sunday morning, people make their way to church. They greet one another, sing songs of praise to the Lord, and listen as the pastor delivers his sermon. Congregants serve in various ways, and the people are blessed as attention is drawn to Jesus. The church service concludes, and people return home. But the worship of Jesus doesn’t stop there—or at least it shouldn’t.
The church gathers on Sunday in a building, but the church is not the building, and worship isn’t confined to its walls. True worship transcends time and place. It is Spirit-born in the hearts of those who belong to Jesus. They go forth into their week with a call to worship wherever they go. As the writer of Hebrews puts it: “Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good, and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God” (Hebrews 13:15-16).
Psalm 134 marks the final song in the collection known as the Songs of Ascents—pilgrim songs sung by worshipers journeying to Jerusalem for the great feasts. This brief psalm captures a sacred moment of transition, likely spoken as worshipers concluded their time at the temple and prepared to return home. It calls on the servants of the Lord—those who minister by night in the house of God—to continue offering praise, even when the crowds have gone and the sanctuary is quiet. In turn, a blessing is spoken back over the people: “May the Lord bless you from Zion.” This psalm reminds us that worship is not confined to public gatherings or daylight hours. True worship endures in the faithfulness of those who serve unseen in the fabric of their lives.
Worship is not something that begins and ends with a Sunday church service. It is a continual offering of the devotion of our lips and our lives. Go forth from the Sunday service in the realization, that your part of this world holds forth countless opportunities to serve Jesus as you bless others with your words and your acts of love.
“Thanks we give and adoration for Thy gospel’s joyous sound; may the fruits of Thy salvation in our hearts and lives abound” — John Fawcett, “Lord, Dismiss Us with Thy Blessing”
APPLICATION QUESTIONS: In what ways can I continue to worship God throughout the week, not just on Sunday? Consider your work, relationships, service, and daily habits—how can I purpose to worship God in all matters (1 Corinthians 10:31)? Am I faithful to honor God even when no one is watching—like the servants who ministered by night?
LookingtoJesus 