Guard Duty
(Written especially for friends in assisted living)
Everything changes, including us.
Ministry tasks we once did
effortlessly now tire us out. Activities that we used to undertake easily
become hard to do. As strength
declines, we wonder: What can we do when we can’t do as we once did?
I find hope in the Lord’s word to the Levites.
The Levites have arduous ministry in the wilderness. Their job is to dismantle, carry, and reassemble the portable Tabernacle every time the Israelites move from place to place (Numbers 1:50-51). They do the heavy lifting—pillars, crossbars, curtains, animal coverings, altar and much more.
The Levites start serving at age twenty-five. It is important holy work. But things change.
When they reach age fifty, they must retire.
The Lord tells Moses, “After retirement they may assist their fellow Levites by performing guard duty at the Tabernacle, but they may not officiate in the service” (Numbers 8:23 NLT). From heavy lifting, the older Levites switch to guard duty.
They keep watch, day and night. They keep the charge. They cheer their younger brothers still in active service. They cover the whole community with a beautiful layer of encouragement and protection.
In addition,
they offer praises as they watch.
Some scholars think Psalm 134 is a call to priests and Levites on nighttime guard duty at Solomon’s Temple. Centuries after the wilderness experience, old Levites are still at their task.
“Oh, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, you who serve as night watchmen in the house of the LORD. Lift up holy hands in prayer, and praise the LORD” (Psalm 134:1-2 NLT).
Most of us have retired from the heavy-duty work of direct ministry. We've had to let go of things we loved to do.
But like the Levites, we are still fully qualified for guard duty.
I’ve seen beautiful, strong “guards on duty” here at the retirement community where I live. Here is a sampling of what I’ve seen:
Guarding through intercession. One resident prays through the Campus Directory, interceding for his neighbors one by one. Another uses her cane to walk around a neighborhood school, praying with each step. A third prays for first responders whenever sirens go off on Howry Avenue. Another prays for entire nations, with hands on a globe. Guard duty for protection.
Encouraging through words. One
resident texts Scripture verses to grands and great-grands. Another writes
her life stories so the next generation can read what a long-term life of faith
looks like. A third sends birthday greetings to all our employees. Another sits on the
porch and speaks encouragement to passers-by. Guard duty against
discouragement.
Praising through the hours. When discomfort eclipses sleep, one resident hums praise songs. Another meditates on Psalms of worship in the wee hours. Their costly sacrifice of praise imitates the old prophet Anna, who “never left the temple but worshiped night and day” (Luke 2:37 NIV). Guard duty for continuous praise.
Our daily living may require more “assisting” as we age. But always, we can take our place as guards on duty for the Kingdom of God!
©MarionSpeicherBrown
Everything changes, including us.
I find hope in the Lord’s word to the Levites.
The Levites have arduous ministry in the wilderness. Their job is to dismantle, carry, and reassemble the portable Tabernacle every time the Israelites move from place to place (Numbers 1:50-51). They do the heavy lifting—pillars, crossbars, curtains, animal coverings, altar and much more.
The Levites start serving at age twenty-five. It is important holy work. But things change.
When they reach age fifty, they must retire.
The Lord tells Moses, “After retirement they may assist their fellow Levites by performing guard duty at the Tabernacle, but they may not officiate in the service” (Numbers 8:23 NLT). From heavy lifting, the older Levites switch to guard duty.
They keep watch, day and night. They keep the charge. They cheer their younger brothers still in active service. They cover the whole community with a beautiful layer of encouragement and protection.
Some scholars think Psalm 134 is a call to priests and Levites on nighttime guard duty at Solomon’s Temple. Centuries after the wilderness experience, old Levites are still at their task.
“Oh, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, you who serve as night watchmen in the house of the LORD. Lift up holy hands in prayer, and praise the LORD” (Psalm 134:1-2 NLT).
Most of us have retired from the heavy-duty work of direct ministry. We've had to let go of things we loved to do.
But like the Levites, we are still fully qualified for guard duty.
I’ve seen beautiful, strong “guards on duty” here at the retirement community where I live. Here is a sampling of what I’ve seen:
Guarding through intercession. One resident prays through the Campus Directory, interceding for his neighbors one by one. Another uses her cane to walk around a neighborhood school, praying with each step. A third prays for first responders whenever sirens go off on Howry Avenue. Another prays for entire nations, with hands on a globe. Guard duty for protection.
Encouraging through words. One
resident texts Scripture verses to grands and great-grands. Another writes
her life stories so the next generation can read what a long-term life of faith
looks like. A third sends birthday greetings to all our employees. Another sits on the
porch and speaks encouragement to passers-by. Guard duty against
discouragement. Praising through the hours. When discomfort eclipses sleep, one resident hums praise songs. Another meditates on Psalms of worship in the wee hours. Their costly sacrifice of praise imitates the old prophet Anna, who “never left the temple but worshiped night and day” (Luke 2:37 NIV). Guard duty for continuous praise.
Our daily living may require more “assisting” as we age. But always, we can take our place as guards on duty for the Kingdom of God!
©MarionSpeicherBrown
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