Psalm 134 is a brief but beautiful little song of ascents which was sung by Israelite pilgrims who were going up to worship the Lord at the temple in Jerusalem. The Psalmist calls upon “all the servants of the LORD to praise Him,” and he directed this Psalm specifically to those who “minister by night in the house of the LORD” (verse 1). Continual burnt offerings (i.e., which were offered throughout the night) were a requirement of the law (cf., Leviticus 6:8-13; Exodus 29:38-42; and Numbers 28:4). Elihu, in the book of Job, acknowledged that, in His wisdom, God gave us the didactic gift of “songs in the night” (cf., Job 35:10). Later, a distressed Asaph, another Psalmist familiar to us, called out to God and “remembered his songs in the night” (cf., Psalm 77:6). When our night watches grow long and dark, God’s gift of songs seems to hasten the dawn and to bring us needed encouragement. Here, we also see that the posture of Israelite praise included “lifting up hands” as a gesture of submission and honor to the wonder and greatness “of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth” (verse 2). The Psalmist concludes this brief song with his own special blessing for those whose responsibility was to minister at night.
Today we come to the book of Daniel, where in chapters 1-2, we observe Daniel’s initiation into service at Babylon. We note Daniel’s resolve to live an undefiled life in a pagan and secular culture. As we live today in similar circumstances of cultural self-importance and social decadence, Daniel’s commitment to purity and excellence within his world is an example for us to follow. Daniel’s qualities of leadership and service are already present before his arrival in Babylon; his resolution to serve the Lord and to do God’s will are neither undermined nor compromised by his obligation to fulfill the expectations of a foreign administration. We see that God blessed the faith of Daniel and his three friends and gave them “knowledge and understanding” (1:17). Although Daniel confessed his own sin before God (cf., Daniel 9:5), the Scripture contains no written record of it. Daniel’s wisdom is tested in chapter 2, where we see that Daniel credits “the God of heaven” for His “wisdom and power” and for His ability to “change times and seasons” (verses 20-21). We must recognize that God alone “reveals deep and hidden things,” and He “knows what lies in darkness” (verse 27).
In 1 Peter 5, Peter admonishes elders and pastors – those who “shepherd God’s flock” – to serve properly as such “because they should be eager and willing to do so” (verse 2). They must not be greedy for money, nor lord it over those entrusted to them” (verse 3). Pastors must be highly qualified, and they must meet God’s high expectations – they must demonstrate integrity, and they must serve as examples “to the flock” (verse 3). Humility is also one of the necessary virtues, as are alertness and sobriety. These expectations were also applicable to “young men” in the church (verse 5). This process would guide the young men of the church to emulate the elders so that, one day, they would naturally follow into church leadership roles to become deacons and elders themselves. Above all, the true “call of God” must precede a shepherd’s pastoral service with an emphasis on “caring” (verse 10). We learn that, at the time of this letter, Peter was accompanied by Silas and Mark.
Comments