“Now praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand in the Lord’s house at night! Lift up your hands in the holy place and praise the Lord!” (Psalm 134:1-2)
The temple doors closed at dusk as usual. The day’s worshipers were all gone along with the hustle and bustle. Quiet settled in again in the holy place, but the stillness was soon broken by the night sounds, the sounds of the night shift coming to work. All the oil lamps had to filled to keep them burning all night. The incense burner had to be replenished and stoked, and the bread on the table had to be removed and replaced with warm, fresh bread. Now, not just sound but smell! Floors had to be swept and dust wiped away. The few of the night crew thus carried on with their tasks, but then one of them noticed – the Presence of the Lord the Almighty was only a few feet away. The Almighty One! The Holy One. The Awesome One. He was suddenly overcome with awe as tears welled up in his eyes, and he lifted his hands and was compelled from within to say, “Hallelujah, for the Lord God Almighty reigns! The Holy One of Israel rules! Praise the Lord!” After those few holy moments, the night crew finished their duties and then left rejoicing, until the next night.
The next time you wonder if anyone notices the little things you do in serving the Lord, pause for a moment, and remember whose you are and who you serve. Lift up your hands in that very holy moment in that holy place and praise the Lord.
Thank You, Father, for those who quietly carry out their service to You, just because it needs to be done and because they love You. Amen.
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