Back in the 80’s, one of the best decades ever (musically), the Commodores did a tribute song called Night Shift. The only thing missing in this classic is the original lead singer of the Commodores, Lionel Richie. Otherwise, it’s a great piece. As one line goes,

“It’s gonna be a long night, it’s gonna be alright…on the night shift.”

If you’ve ever worked the night shift, you understand how dark it can get. I vividly remember my very first job as a teenager on third shift at a Hardees restaurant, 11pm-6am. I needed money for school clothes and it was the only job available, so I took it. That was the summer I learned how to skate on greasy floors and flip burgers…on the night shift.

It seems that people get weirder and life gets harder in the middle of the night.

That’s why it surprised me to learn that there was even a night shift at the Temple in the Old Testament. The worship of God continued, even in the wee hours. When the daytime people went home, the nighttime people took over. Check it out:

“Oh, praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, you who serve at night in the house of the LORD. Lift up holy hands in prayer and praise the LORD.” -Psalm 134:1-2 (NLT)

Question: How can we praise the Lord, even when darkness has overtaken us?
Answer: Because God is as loyal in the nighttime as He is in the day. He is the same, 24/7. Just as He is present when life is shiny and bright, so He is also present when it is so dark you can’t see your hand in front of your face.

If you are on the night shift right now – literally or figuratively – here’s to you. Be encouraged in knowing that you can still honor the Lord with your life, even in the dark.

Most would agree that these are dark times for our culture, a fact which places all of us on the night shift, so to speak. But the darker it gets, the greater our opportunity to shine (See Romans 13:11-14). As Jesus said,

“…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” -Matthew 5:16

Whether it is light or dark, bright or gloomy, we can praise the LORD today for who He is. In the words of the Commodores,

“It’s gonna be a long night, it’s gonna be alright…on the night shift.”

It’s a new day with God. Run with it.