Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 09, 2023: SOAP #5058: Nehemiah 1-2; Psalm 133-134; Luke 22

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 134:1 Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD.
2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD.
3 May the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion.

OBSERVATION:  In my understanding, there was 24-hour worship in the temple.  Priests and musicians were assigned their times to minister to the Lord.  Those who ministered at night were no less important than those who ministered in the day.  God is just as worthy of praise through the night as He is through the day.

APPLICATION:  Whether it was working nights at a gas station after high school graduation in Belleville, Kansas; or night duty on a hospital ward at MCRD in San Diego, California; or a night radio watch on a mountain top in Viet Nam; I enjoyed the presence of the Lord!  There were fewer interruptions to break my focus on the Lord.  I found Him just as awake and just as active in the night as in the day.

I have also found the wonderful benefit of praise when I am going through a “dark” time in my life.  Praise keeps my focus on Him and not on the difficulties. Praise activates my faith.  And praise is very special to God when brought as a sacrifice. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, you are the God who never slumbers or sleeps.  You are the God of the dark side as well as the light side of the earth.  I am so thankful that you are my God!   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Thanks everyone for praying for Pastor Andrew.  I do not have any update on his condition today, so I am trusting the Lord for his recovery.  God is a God of miracles.  His trip to Central Africa is probably on hold, but I will let everyone know as I know.  I will attach a daily note to the daily SOAP.