Psalms 134: Behold bless all ye servants of the Lord

From Psalms

Psalm 134
<sup>(A Song of Ascents.)

1</sup>Behold, bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the LORD,
      which by night stand in the house of the LORD.
²Lift up your hands in the sanctuary,
      and bless the LORD.

³The LORD that made heaven and earth
      bless thee out of Zion.

From Bible Study Tools, "We have now reached the last of the Gradual Psalms.  The Pilgrims are going home, and are singing the last song in their psalter. They leave early in the morning, before the day has fully commenced, for the journey is long for many of them.  While yet the night lingers they are on the move.  As soon as they are outside the gates they see the guards upon the temple wall, and the lamps shining from the windows of the chambers which surround the sanctuary; therefore, moved by the sight, they chant a farewell to the perpetual attendants upon the holy shrine.  Their parting exhortation arouses the priests to pronounce upon them a blessing out of the holy place: this benediction is contained in the third verse.  The priests as good as say, 'You have desired us to bless the Lord, and now we pray the Lord to bless you.'  The Psalm teaches us to pray for those who are continually ministering before the Lord."

For recovery from addiction is a journey like a pilgrimage.  It's a spiritual journey that transforms us and helps us see what we are truly capable of.  I read a statistic last week that most smokers will quit 9 times before quitting for good.  And in the same way alcoholics and sex addicts will often attempt this journey several times before becoming sober forever.  Nevertheless, it's a journey that must be made.  It's a journey that is not made alone.  Along the way we have people supporting and ministering us.  As we learn in psalm 134 we need to pray for those people who minister before the Lord.  The sponsors, the volunteers, the pastors, the friends...there are many supporters because the journey is long.  We pray for every one of the supporters.

Dear Lord.  Thank you for your blessings.  Today I would like to pray for my family.  For their support through these trying times.  Their understanding and love as I overcome this dangerous disease.  Please bless them and be with them.  I would like to pray for my church family without which I probably would not have started this journey.  Who helped me realize there was a path out.  Please bless them and be with them.  I would like to pray for the people in the meetings I attend, and my sponsors.  For they showed that I am not a freak and I am not alone.  Please bless them and be with them.  In your name I pray.  Amen.

Thanks for letting me share.