Author: looking2jesus13

July 18, 2025—Jerry

I have a friend whose mother suffers from severe dementia. Being her caregiver is a loving but demanding task, as she can no longer care for herself. There was a time when she could manage her daily needs—eating, dressing, moving safely through the day—but that time has passed. Now the roles are reversed. The daughter, once nurtured by her mother, is now the one who must nurture and protect.

Even simple tasks—like sharing a meal or making it to the bathroom—have become daily challenges. Dementia does that. As mental clarity fades, the burden on the caregiver increases. It is exhausting, sacred work.

Fifty years ago, that mother painted a picture. Her daughter still remembers it clearly. On the painting were the words: “With the Lord, you can climb any mountain—one step at a time.” Little did she know how high the mountain would one day become.

That phrase—climbing a mountain—has often come to mind in my work as a hospice chaplain. I’ve thought about it often and shared it many times. It’s such a fitting picture of life.

When we’re young, we wander freely along the mountain’s lower trails. We have strength, energy, and the freedom to explore. The peak lies far off, and we hardly give it a thought.

But as we age, the steps grow steeper. Aches and pains slow us down. Diminished eyesight, failing hearing, and limited strength begin to take their toll. The heart still longs to explore, but the legs don’t move like they used to.

Then comes the final ascent: the reality of dying. I’ve seen it. By that point, you can’t carry much. Lesser hopes, ambitions, and attachments fall away. The climb becomes one of finding comfort… and peace. Saying goodbye to loved ones looms large. The summit draws near.

In the lower paths, steps were light and carefree. But now, every step requires effort. The slopes are steeper. The air is thinner. Boulders block the path. Crevices hide beneath the snow. Simply putting one foot in front of the other takes endurance—and grace.

But here’s the key: the mountain can only be climbed with the Lord.
As Psalm 23:4 says, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.” The valley. The shadow. The climb. It’s all only bearable because He walks with us.

That’s why one of my most frequent prayers for hospice patients is this:
“Lord, walk with them on their journey.”

I’ve often wondered why the hardest part of the climb comes when we’re weakest. Why does God ask us to face such steep terrain when our strength is nearly gone? But our need all along life’s journey is to trust in Jesus. Trials have a way of energizing and building faith and directing our focus heavenward (James 1:2-4, 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:2). It is as Joni Eareckson Tada (paralyzed from her youth and now battling cancer) wrote: “Every sorrow we taste will one day prove to be the best possible thing that could have happened to us. We will thank God endlessly in Heaven for the trials He sent us here.”

I’ve never climbed a real mountain, but I have climbed the Astor Column in Astoria, Oregon. It’s 125 feet tall, with 164 winding steps to the top. The view is breathtaking—Astoria below, the Columbia River mouth, and the surrounding countryside in most every direction. But it takes work to get there.

The goal in mountain climbing is to reach the summit. And when you do, those final laborious steps give way to a grand view. So it is in the spiritual climb of life. The summit is not earthly but eternal. Paul wrote, “To depart and be with Christ… is very much better” (Philippians 1:23). He looked forward to it with joy.

At death, the eyes of faith will become the eyes of sight. “We shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2). Scripture says, “He will be marveled at among all who have believed” (2 Thessalonians 1:10). The apostles beheld His glory (John 1:14) and gave their lives to make Him known—most of them dying as martyrs. There are many beautiful things to behold on earth—but nothing will compare to the glory of the ascended Christ.

Scripture uses many analogies to describe the Christian life—a race to run, a fight to fight. But in all cases, a day will come when climbing, fighting, or running will cease. The arduous steps of the steep ascent will give way to a new home and a readied inheritance (2 Corinthians 5:1; 1 Peter 1:4). Jesus has prepared a place for us (John 14:3). And while there are aspects of that heavenly home that transcend our current understanding—things no eye has seen nor ear heard (1 Corinthians 2:9)—we can be sure it will far exceed all we could ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).

Many of the things that have disturbed us most in this life will be absent in the next. And that’s good news I’ve often shared with hospice patients. There will be no more tears, death, mourning, crying, or pain (Revelation 21:4). There will be no more sin (2 Peter 3:13). The final, painful climb through this broken world will give way to eternal joy in the world to come. Jesus came to make that happen—and in His time, He will bring us safely home (2 Timothy 4:18).

And then, there will be a divine makeover. It’s too heartbreaking to watch the health of someone you love decline. Words fail to express the grief I feel watching Laura’s health fade. She’s been fighting this cancer battle for more than eight years. Each treatment—there have been six—has brought harsh side effects. It’s taken a tremendous toll. Though we’re grateful for the wonderful care she’s received, her body is worn out. She’s now on hospice, and day by day, she loses more strength. Her appetite has diminished. Pain increases. My heart is breaking. I can’t imagine life without her. And to return to that image again—if life is like climbing a mountain, Laura’s steps have become very, very hard.

I’m writing this because Laura has a story to tell. She’s been climbing this long mountain—this cancer journey—with the Lord. It’s not a path she chose or wanted. It has been long and difficult. A fragile spine. Chronic pain. Endless doctor visits. Treatment after treatment, each with its own heavy cost. But through it all, her faith has remained. She has trusted Jesus every step of the way. She’s faced this journey with courage and strength. I’m near tears as I write this. She has fought the good fight. She has kept the faith.

Now the summit is near—and a divine transformation awaits. Scripture says we can’t enter heaven just as we are: “Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 15:50). But God has provided for that, too: “When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory’” (1 Corinthians 15:54).

I believe that’s one reason Scripture says, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints” (Psalm 116:15). Because when a believer dies, God’s glory is clearly revealed—in His grace, love, power, and wisdom—as one of His saints finishes the journey home (Romans 8:37).

Philippians 3:21 puts it this way: “He will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”

Our lowly body—that’s the one we have now. I remember when Laura and I went for a jog on our first date. She’s always been committed to healthy living—eating well, avoiding bad habits, staying active. But cancer has worn her down. Her spine is fragile. Nerves misfire. She used to walk the dogs daily; now even walking through the house is hard. Her liver is failing. Her pain is constant. These final steps have come at a high cost.

But soon—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye (1 Corinthians 15:52)—Jesus will give her a new body, one like His glorious body.

I remember listening, years ago, to a song by Joni Eareckson Tada about heaven. She has written, sung, and painted with heaven in view. Paralyzed from the shoulders down as a teenager, she has since walked her own difficult path—including a battle with cancer that she shares with Laura. In her reflections on heaven, Joni once wrote: “I still can hardly believe it. I, with shriveled, bent fingers, atrophied muscles, gnarled knees, and no feeling from the shoulders down, will one day have a new body, light, bright, and clothed in righteousness—powerful and dazzling… My assurance of heaven is so alive that I’ve been making dates with friends to do all sorts of fun things once we get our new bodies.”

There’s a passage that has meant so much to us from the beginning of this journey: “We were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead… On Him we have set our hope that He will deliver us again. You also must help us by prayer…” (2 Corinthians 1:8–11). We’ve been burdened beyond our strength, yet God has given more grace. We’ve despaired, but we’ve learned to rely on the God who raises the dead. You’ve been with us every step of this journey. Thank you for your continued prayers!

Looking back, we have much to be thankful for. God has been so faithful. He has provided excellent doctors, good insurance, and compassionate care. So many have prayed. So many have cared and in so many ways. It’d be impossible to recount all the acts of kindness shown over these past eight plus years! Through it all, God has been with us.

Laura is walking these final steps. She has climbed this steep mountain with Jesus—one step at a time. She’s done so with the same faith in Jesus, same selfless heart, and same determination I loved in her when we married nearly 42 years ago. My heart is breaking. But she is leaving behind a lasting legacy (Hebrews 11:4). Her life speaks volumes about the importance of trusting Jesus.

“With the Lord, you can climb any mountain—one step at a time.”

JULY 18

Psalm 142

Psalm 142:1-2, “With my voice I cry out to the Lord; with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord. I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him.”

I was once in a place that had a complaint box in the lobby—but there was a problem: no one knew where the key was, and it hadn’t been emptied in years. Complaints went into that box to die, unheard and unresolved.

Imagine a man at work struggling with relationship challenges. Each day brought new misunderstandings, disagreements, and hurt feelings. Frustrated, he began sharing his complaints with anyone who would listen. Soon, he had practically formed a “complaint committee” of people eager to swap grievances. As with that complaint box, no one offered any real solutions to the problems he faced.  He never turned to the One person who alone could unravel his troubles and bring peace to his heart.

Psalm 142 powerfully illustrates how David dealt with his deepest struggles by bringing them directly to God. Trapped in a cave, isolated and surrounded by enemies, David sought comfort as he cried out honestly and boldly to the Lord for mercy (Psalm 142:1). His example shows us that God alone understands our pain, offers protection, and provides refuge. In times of loneliness and fear, David’s example teaches us to take our complaints, fears, and burdens straight to God, trusting that He listens and cares deeply.

When troubles come, our best response is to bring them first and foremost to God. Instead of rehearsing our worries with everyone else or letting frustration build, we can follow David’s example—pouring out our hearts in prayer, asking for guidance, peace, and help. God invites us to cast our cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7), promising that He will sustain us. When we take our struggles to the Lord first, we find a refuge that never fails and a peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:6-7).

“The best place to file your complaint is with the God who know all and cares best.”

Application questions: When facing difficulties or frustrations, how often do you turn to God in prayer before sharing your concerns with others? What practical steps can you take to develop the habit of bringing your complaints and fears directly to God first, rather than immediately seeking advice or sympathy from people?

JULY 17

Psalm 141

Psalm 141:3, “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!”

Remember that humorous scene in A Christmas Story, where Ralphie gets his mouth washed out with soap for saying a bad word? It’s doubtful the soap had much long-term effect. The problem with the tongue runs deeper than a quick external fix.

Psalm 141 is David’s heartfelt cry for help and holiness. Surrounded by evil and temptation, he pleads with God to guard his heart, guide his steps, and—especially—to keep watch over his mouth. “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3). David understood that the tongue, though small, carries great power to bless or to harm.

Scripture offers a sobering picture of our speech. James likens the tongue to a tiny spark that can ignite a great forest fire—“a restless evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:6–8). Words wound, linger, and often leave deeper scars than we realize. While we may attempt to manage our speech through sheer willpower, the Bible tells us the root issue lies deeper than that. “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). What flows from our lips reveals the condition of our soul.

Only Jesus can transform the heart—and, with it, the tongue. He alone can tame what no human can. Through salvation and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit, rebellious tongues are redeemed to do what they were created to do: worship God and bless others. Paul writes that those filled with the Spirit speak “to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs… giving thanks always” (Ephesians 5:19–20).

Jesus, whose words were always full of grace and truth—even when under pressure—calls us to speak as He did: “Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless” (1 Peter 3:9).

If you want your speech to honor God, start by asking Him to shape your heart. Then, like David, pray: “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth.”

“May the mind of Christ my Savior, live in me from day to day, by His love and pow’r controlling all I do and say.” —Kate B. Wilkinson

Application Questions: What situations or relationships tempt you most to speak in ways that are unkind, impatient, or untrue—and how can you seek the Spirit’ help in guiding your words in those moments? Is there someone you’ve hurt with your words—recently or in the past—that God may be prompting you to seek forgiveness from this week?

JULY 16

Psalm 140

Psalm 140:7, “O Lord, my Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle.”

For most of my life, I’ve owned a motorcycle—and if you own one, you know the importance of a helmet. They say it should fit snugly so your head doesn’t rattle inside, giving you the best protection if you crash. That helmet becomes a crucial shield, guarding one of the most vulnerable parts of your body.

David, in Psalm 140, speaks about the threats he faces from his enemies—those who plot harm against him. David needs God to shield him. While he didn’t wear a physical helmet, he trusted God as his protector, the One who “covers his head in the day of battle” (Psalm 140:7). This powerful image reminds us that God is our ultimate shield, guarding our minds, hearts, and lives when we face opposition.

God has not left us defenseless. In Ephesians 6:10-18, we read of how He provides the full armor of God to protect us against our spiritual foes. At the top is the helmet of salvation (Ephesians 6:17), a vital piece of our spiritual defense. This helmet symbolizes the assurance of our salvation, guarding our minds against doubts, fears, and the enemy’s lies.

Additionally, 1 Thessalonians 5:8 reminds us to “put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.” Here, the helmet of salvation is linked closely with hope, which shields us from despair and discouragement. It protects our minds by anchoring us in the confident expectation of our future hope in Jesus.

When we face trials, attacks, or discouragement, we can rest in the knowledge that God’s protection surrounds us, covering us completely. With the helmet of salvation firmly in place, our minds are fortified against the enemy’s attempts to shake our faith or steal our peace. Just as David trusted God to cover his head in battle, we too can trust God to guard our hearts and minds through every challenge, confident in the salvation we possess in Jesus.

“ “The helmet of salvation is that great hope of final salvation, the confidence that what God has done for us in the past guarantees our participation in His future glory.” — John MacArthur, Commentary on Ephesians

Application Questions: In what areas of your life do you need to intentionally “put on” the helmet of salvation—reminding yourself of who you are in Christ and the security you have in Him? When you face spiritual attack or discouragement, how can the assurance of your salvation help guard your thoughts and strengthen your confidence in God’s protection?

JULY 15

Psalm 139

Psalm 139:6, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.”

Until the category was retired, the Guinness Book of World Records listed Marilyn vos Savant as having the highest recorded IQ—an astonishing 228. For perspective, the average IQ is around 100. Humans possess varying degrees of intelligence and expertise, but no one knows everything. A humble and honest self-assessment should lead us to this sobering truth: we don’t know as much as we think we do.

But God does. Theologians call this omniscience—God’s complete and perfect knowledge of all things. A.W. Tozer captured it powerfully: “God knows instantly and effortlessly all matter and all matters, all mind and every mind, all spirit and all spirits, all being and every being, … all things visible and invisible in heaven and in earth, motion, space, time, life, death, good, evil, heaven, and hell.”

King David reflected on this reality in deeply personal terms. In Psalm 139, he marveled that God knew everything about him—his actions, his thoughts, even his words before he spoke them. God surrounded him, searched his heart, and knew his path. David’s response? “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it” (Psalm 139:6). And yet—the God who knows all about us still loves us. That’s the staggering truth of the gospel.

One of my most treasured books is a worn, dog-eared copy of Tozer’s The Knowledge of the Holy. It’s full of highlights, but only one paragraph is marked in pink: “And to us who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope that is set before us in the gospel, how unutterably sweet is the knowledge that our Heavenly Father knows us completely… since He knew us utterly before we knew Him and called us in full knowledge of everything that was against us.”

That paragraph still stirs me. It captures the heart of the gospel: The God who knows me best, loves me most. And nothing—nothing—can separate me from that love (Romans 8:33–39).

“There is tremendous relief in knowing that His love to me is based at every point on prior knowledge of the worst about me—so that no discovery now can disillusion Him about me, in the way I am so often disillusioned about myself.” — J. I. Packer, Knowing God

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:  How does knowing that God sees and knows everything about you—past, present, and future—affect your view of His grace and love?  Are there areas in your life where you’re still trying to “hide” from God? What would it look like to bring those into the light of His loving knowledge?

JULY 14

Psalm 138

Psalm 138:6, “For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar.”

This psalm is a song of wholehearted thanksgiving and praise by David to the Lord for His steadfast love and faithful answers to prayer. David rejoices that God’s name and word are exalted and gives thanks for how the Lord has strengthened his soul in past times of trouble. A central truth shines through in verse 6: though God is exalted and glorious, He draws near to the humble and resists the proud.

This theme echoes throughout Scripture. Three times we’re reminded that “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (Proverbs 3:34; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). David recognized what these passages make clear: the arrogant set themselves against God and remain distant from Him, while the humble draw His compassionate attention and receive His empowering grace.

“The haughty he knows from afar” (Psalm 138:6) does not suggest that God is unaware of them. As the all-knowing, sovereign Lord, He sees all. But it means that the proud, by their own inflated self-importance, have placed themselves in opposition to God. In their independence, they hold Him at a distance—even as they presume they need nothing from Him.

The humble, on the other hand, are those who rightly esteem themselves in light of God’s holiness and their own need. Unlike the Pharisee who exalted himself in prayer and praised his own righteousness, the humble cry out like the tax collector: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” To these, God gives His regard. He hears from heaven and meets them with mercy and grace.

This truth has challenged and comforted me personally. In difficult seasons, especially when pride tempts me to rely on my own strength, God has met me at my point of desperation when I’ve come before Him in humility, admitting my need.  Though He be holy and we be lowly, He delights, by the riches of His grace and mercy, in bridging that gap!

“The proud man has no God; the humble man has nothing but God.” — A.W. Tozer

APPLICATION QUESTIONS: In what areas of your life do you struggle with a prideful independence that might hinder the working of the grace of God? Take time to honestly examine your heart. Where is God inviting you to humble yourself and trust Him more fully?

JULY 11

Psalm 137

Psalm 137:4, “How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?”

Psalm 137 is one of the most emotionally raw passages in all of Scripture. It was written during or just after the Babylonian exile—a time of profound grief and spiritual disorientation for God’s people. In 586 BC, Jerusalem was conquered by Babylon, the temple destroyed, and the people carried far from home. By the rivers of Babylon, the psalmist says, “we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion.” Their captors mocked them, demanding songs of joy. But how could they sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land, surrounded by loss?

This question— “How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?” (v. 4)—echoes the cry of every believer who has faced suffering, loss, or prolonged trial. The kind of trial where hope feels like a memory, and praise feels like a struggle. Yet this psalm is more than lament. It is worship through tears. Even the remembering is a form of faith—anchoring sorrow in the presence of the God who still sees and still cares.

In a way, Laura and I have come to understand something of this. As she’s battled cancer and chronic pain for more than eight years, I have walked beside her through storms we never imagined. And in this long journey of endurance, one song has ministered to me again and again: “I Will Praise You in This Storm” by Casting Crowns. The lyrics echo the choice to worship when the storm doesn’t stop—to trust when healing hasn’t come—to lift hands in surrender when you feel like collapsing: “And I’ll praise You in this storm, And I will lift my hands, For You are who You are, No matter where I am…”

Praise doesn’t demand perfect circumstances.  God’s goodness and faithfulness are unchanging realities in which we can always trust and for which we can always praise Him. Worship in suffering is not a contradiction—it’s an anchor. It is choosing to remember, to hope, and to trust in the God whose steadfast love endures forever—even when you feel exiled in your own life.  Worship amid sorrow bears a powerful testimony!

“He put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God.” – Acts 16:24-25

Application questions: What “foreign land” are you walking through right now—where worship feels hard or even impossible? What would it look like to lift your voice there? Are there songs or Scriptures that have helped you praise through the storm? How might God use them to renew your hope today?

JULY 10

Psalm 136

Psalm 136:1, “For his steadfast love endures forever.”

In Psalm 136, the psalmist repeatedly declares, “His steadfast love endures forever,” using the Hebrew word chesed to describe God’s unfailing, covenantal love. This beautiful term appears approximately 250 times in the Old Testament, making it one of the most frequently used words to describe God’s character. Chesed is not merely a theological concept—it is the lived reality of God’s loyal, lovingkindness that the psalmist traces through the mighty acts of creation, redemption, and daily provision, revealing how every encounter with God manifests His steadfast love.

God’s steadfast love is evident as He made the heavens and the earth, separated light from darkness, and formed the seas and the land. Each act of creation reflects the loyal love of the God who sustains all things. The psalmist also highlights God’s steadfast love in the powerful deliverance of Israel—leading His people out of Egypt, defeating mighty kings, and giving them the promised land. Even in the ordinary provision of food and water during the wilderness journey, God’s loyal love remains unwavering, and the psalmist celebrates it!

For the psalmist, God’s steadfast love is not a one-time event or an occasional blessing but the unchanging reality behind all our experiences in life. In all His dealings, God reveals a love that never fails, never forgets, and endures forever.

This enduring love invites believers to trust God not only in dramatic moments but also in the quiet, every day of life. The psalm calls us to reflect on and worship God for His kind, loyal love that surrounds and assures us no matter what we face. How blessed we are to know that nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39)—a love that nothing in the universe can work to destroy (Romans 8:38-39).

The psalmist praised God for his steadfast love.  Take time to reflect and join in his chorus.  Tie your life experiences to this reality, and rest in the assurance of God’s abiding love.

“God’s love is the firm foundation beneath all our hopes. It never falters, never fades, and is the anchor of our souls.” — John Stott

Application Questions: In what ways have you personally experienced God’s loyal love—His steadfast love and loyal kindness—in both the extraordinary and ordinary moments of your life? How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God’s unchanging love, especially when facing challenges or uncertainty?

JULY 9

Psalm 135

Psalm 135:18, “Those who make them become like them, so do all who trust in them.”

I love this quote by A. W. Tozer from his classic book The Knowledge of the Holy: “We tend by a secret law of the soul to move toward our mental image of God. This is true not only of the individual Christian, but of the company of Christians that composes the Church. Always the most revealing thing about the Church is her idea of God, just as her most significant message is what she says about Him or leaves unsaid.” Tozer begins his book emphasizing the critical importance of thinking rightly about God. What we believe about God doesn’t just inform our theology—it shapes the trajectory of our lives. The most defining reality of any church, and any believer, is their view of God.

An attribute of God is something that is true about Him. And it matters deeply that we seek to know those truths—not in vague or abstract terms, but through Scripture, where God has revealed Himself. As we search the Word, we begin to grasp the beauty and weight of His attributes: His holiness, love, justice, mercy, omniscience, and more. We begin to plumb the depths of His transcendent nature and discover a God who is not only infinitely glorious but also deeply personal.

This pursuit of knowing God rightly is not just theological—it’s transformational. As our understanding of God expands, so does our worship. And remarkably, by the Spirit’s work in us, we are shaped by what we worship. Paul exhorts believers in Ephesians 5:1 to “be imitators of God.” This is no small calling. But as we behold Him—through His Word and in worship—we are being formed into His likeness.

In stark contrast to this, the psalmist in Psalm 135 speaks to the human tendency, in sin, to invent gods that reflect our own preferences and desires (Romans 1:18-23).  But such gods are no gods at all, and it is in vain that any would endeavor to trust their lives to lifeless gods.  The psalmist exalts the living God—the one who “does whatever He pleases” (v. 6), who redeems His people, judges justly, and is worthy of true worship. Rather than creating a god to serve us, the psalmist calls us to worship the true God who is alone is worthy.  In the pursuit of Him, He shapes our lives accordingly.

“The human heart is a perpetual factory of idols.” — John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion

Application Questions: Is my understanding of God shaped more by Scripture or by my own preferences, feelings, or cultural influences? What steps can I take to align my view of God more closely with who He truly is?

JULY 8

Psalm 134

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?