SOAP 12/13/2015; Psalm 134:3

Today's reading: Hebrews 9, 10, 11*

S) "³ May the Lord bless you from Zion,
He who made heaven and earth."

Psalm 134:3 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Psalm 134

O) This is a very short Psalm, that opens with an encouragement to the ministers at the temple, that they should bless the LORD in worship (vv.1-2). Then, this closes with a prayer, that God would bless those who minister at the temple. Particularly, this psalm mentions those who serve at night. Anyone with a family, who has ever worked a graveyard shift, understands that the hours worked, that alone is difficult, regardless of the actual requirements of the job. This verse is a blessing for those who have the most difficult shift at the temple, if you will.

A) There are a lot of ways that I serve God. Perhaps the most direct way, is when I am serving others. With that in mind, I do not consider the things I do to serve Him, to be all together that difficult. However, I know that there are much, much more difficult ways to serve God, and that people are doing them right now (and will be tonight). This verse is a reminder to pray for those servants of God.

P) Father, please bless Your servants, who tirelessly seek to serve You by serving others. Please bless those, especially those, who serve You at the most difficult times, all through the night. I know there are nurses, who want to share Your love and comfort to suffering patients, all through a graveyard shift, while they have families that miss them at home in beds. I know that there are pastors, who will receive phone calls and texts in the middle of the night, who will respond to emergencies and prayer requests, despite having already spent a whole day ministering to others. Please bless these servants, God. Bless them with the strength of Zion, that holy mountain that stood in immovable strength. Be glorified through these tireless servants, and bless them according to Your name. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.