Show Don't Tell: Psalm 134

As the pilgrimage draws to a close, imagine the pilgrims gathered on the sun-drenched slopes of Zion, weary yet filled with a deep sense of fulfillment. The rustle of their worn sandals on the dusty path fades into a hushed reverence as they approach the Temple’s towering gates. The final ascent leads them to the sacred space, a place where earth meets heaven, where the tangible presence of God is palpable. Here, the air is thick with the rich scent of incense, mingling with the cool night breeze, creating an atmosphere alive with worship.

And there stand the Levites, a band of devoted servants, dressed in their linen garments, their faces illuminated by flickering torches. It is the midnight hour, and while most of Jerusalem sleeps, these guardians of the sanctuary stand watch. With hands raised high, their voices join in a chorus echoing off the ancient stones: “Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD!” Each word spills forth not just as an obligation but as a heartfelt response to the God who never slumbers.

Among the pilgrims, there’s Miriam, her heart full from the journey. She catches the eye of one weary Levite, his name is Eliab, whose hands are stretched toward the heavens, reflecting a trust that transcends the night. As he offers a blessing, “May the LORD bless you from Zion, he who is the Maker of heaven and earth,” it feels like a warm embrace, wrapping around each pilgrim as they prepare to return home.

The moment lingers—each blessing exchanged like a sacred thread woven into their souls, a reminder that while they may leave the Temple, the presence of God will follow them wherever they go. The ascent is complete, and as they take their first steps away from the Temple’s gates, they carry with them not just a blessing, but a promise: they are forever marked by the grace they received in that sacred place.