NIGHT IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD

Night and day have followed in regular succession since the original creation. Though darkness may speak of the kingdom of Satan, and light of the kingdom of God, yet the voice of praise is not silent when the Lord’s people are as lights shining in a dark place. Thus the Levitical singers were not “nine-to- five” workers, but they also stood by night in the house of the Lord, so that blessing might flow out of Zion.

In the psalms, “the sanctuary” sometimes speaks of the open heavens, while on other occasions it speaks of the dwelling place of God on earth. This refers to the church in its heavenly aspect as the body of Christ, and then to its local aspect, as a gathering of believers in the Lord’s Name. But darkness and night exist outside.

1. We sing of “the night that the Lord passed through”, and we read of the Lord’s words, “I cry … in the night season, and am not silent”, Psa. 22. 2, corresponding to the hours of darkness when He was on the cross. The scene was set by the words “it was night” when Judas left the upper room, John 13. 30. We can solemnly contemplate the succession of days and nights as the Lord experienced divine judgment due to sin. Afterwards, we read of the Lord’s praise, Psa. 22. 25.
2. Spiritually, of course, the Lord’s people are “all the children of light … of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness”, 1 Thess. 5. 5.
3. Positionally, circumstances may be such that “weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning”, Psa. 30. 5. Thus Anna as a widow served in the temple during the night, Luke 2. 37, while the Lord Himself “continued all night in prayer to God” in the sanctuary of the Father’s presence, Luke 6. 12. For ourselves, “The night is far spent”, Rom. 13. 12, and we serve and worship “till the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts”, 2 Pet. 1. 19.

There is worship in the night, Psa. 134. 1; prayer in the night, 130. 6, and doctrine in the night, 63. 6.

Note what comes “out of Zion”: there is blessing out of Zion, Psa. 134. 3; fruitfulness, 128. 5; worship, 135. 21; the blessing of the gospel, 118. 26.

“At midnight Paul … prayed, and sang”, Acts 16. 25.