Evening Scripture

Psalm 92
It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp.

For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord; I sing for joy at what your hands have done.
How great are your works, Lord, how profound your thoughts! fools do not understand, that though the wicked spring up like grass and all evildoers flourish, they will be destroyed forever.

But you, Lord, are forever exalted.

For surely your enemies, Lord, surely your enemies will perish; all evildoers will be scattered.
You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox; fine oils have been poured on me.
My eyes have seen the defeat of my adversaries; my ears have heard the rout of my wicked foes.

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God.
They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”

Evening Reflection

A few years ago, when I was leading worship, I came across this passage in Scripture: “May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice” (Psalm 141:2, NIV). As I sang the song Worthy of It, these lyrics stood out to me:

“Day and night, night and day let incense arise. Day and night, night and day let incense arise.”

In Psalm 92:1-5, we see that it’s good to sing to the Lord. To praise His name with rejoicing and shouts. To make music before our God. But the beauty of this verse is that our praise, our worship, the act of our lives is to glorify and honor His Name. Our prayers are like incense. And day and night, He’s the one we can trust. Day and night, He’s faithful always. If you don’t know much about incense, I’d encourage you to read the Old Testament. Sacrifices were needed because we couldn’t pay the price for our sins. Incense, the smell or aroma, therefore, represents holy worship. Honor God. Obeying His commands. And according to these Scriptures, the prayers of God's people ascending to heaven are a sweet aroma pleasing to God. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, we don’t need the blood of bulls or animals to make us right with Him. But we can dedicate our lives to Him through the surrender of our lives. And that, my friends, is a beautiful incense that meets His presence in Heaven.

How do you praise the Lord? Do you sing? Do you shout? Do you dance? Get out of your comfort zone and praise God in a way that feels right for you today. Psalm 92 reminds us that our lives are worship to God, and it’s a pleasing aroma to Him. You don’t have to have the perfect voice, the most brilliant speaking notes, or musical talents to praise and worship Him; you can worship Him right where you are, as you are. As you prepare for rest, ask yourself: Do I worship God for His faithfulness in every season? If you don’t, ask the Lord to help you worship Him day and night, in any and every season.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus,
As this day comes to a close, I want to praise you with all that I am. Please show me what this should look like in my life, and help me to honor you, bringing glory to your name. We can trust you day and night, Lord. Let our incense arise.
Amen.

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Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.