2nd Chronicles 13:10 But as for us, the Lord is our God, and we have not forsaken him; and the priests, which minister unto the Lord, are the sons of Aaron, and the Levites wait upon their business: 11 And they burn unto the Lord every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense: the shewbread also set they in order upon the pure table; and the candlestick of gold with the lamps thereof, to burn every evening: for we keep the charge of the Lord our God"... 12 And, behold, God himself is with us for our captain"...
This passage of scripture teaches of the morning and evening sacrifices which were ordained by God, so that His people would have a perpetual reminder of His saving grace, which was to be fully embodied and manifested, when Christ was to enter our world in His incarnate form. In the morning, prayer, praise, and sacrifice were offered, to prepare the people for their daily duties, and to enlist in their behalf, the omnipotent power of God over foes without and within. Then in the evening, the service was again repeated, so that the many sins which might have occurred, both inadvertently or deliberately during the day could be forgiven, and also that thanks and praise for God's continuing beneficence could be offered.
This sacred institution ordained by God was not to come to an end with the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, for although He represents the Lamb that was slain in our behalf, yet the practice of offering prayer and praise every morning and evening should be carried on by the father, who is the ordained head of the home, or by the mother in his absence. But under no circumstances should we as Christians allow the members of our households to face an evil and uncertain world, without first asking God's presence to be with each member of the family.
Even though God is merciful and kind, and does not treat us the way we deserve, yet there are certain blessings we wont receive, if we never asked for them, and if we dare to take on unseen foes without first inviting Christ into our hearts and our homes, then when sudden temptations come our way, we will certainly buckle under pressure, for then we will realize that we have no defense against the relentless and brutal assaults of the enemy, who is hell bent on not only getting us to sin, but also on taking our lives if possible. This sobering truth must be given due consideration, and we should take proactive measures, to have our morning and evening sacrifices put in place. Let's read:
Psalm 92:1 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High: 2 To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night, 4 For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.
Psalm 149:1 Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song"... 2"Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. 4 For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. 5 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. 6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand; 7 To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; 8 To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; 9 To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the Lord.
Especially is the sacred institution of the morning and evening sacrifice needed, for in many Christian households, the children may not be fully converted as yet, and therefore someone has to take the initiative in prayer and praise, lest they be sifted like wheat by a determined and malicious foe. Job realized this necessity, and as he saw his children going about their duties from day to day, with probably no thought of God and spiritual things, he then took the initiative in offering morning and evening sacrifices for his entire household. What is worthy of note is that even satan acknowledged that God's presence encircled His faithful servant, and was as an invisible hedge of defense against real and phantom foes. Let's read:
Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. 5 And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually. 8 And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? 9 Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
It is because of the mercies of God why we are not consumed, for if His presence were to be removed from us, even for a moment, we will fall a speedy prey to the devices of the evil one, and more than this, it is most becoming to stop by the throne of grace every morning and evening, at least to say thanks and ask forgiveness for the sins we know, or may not know of. Let us then as parents seek to restore the sacred institution of the morning and evening sacrifice, and God will respond in the affirmative, by blessing us with His presence, and by engaging His restraining power over men and demons who may seek to do us harm.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to follow the example of the faithful in this regard, for the blessing of God will be sure to rest upon our children, and our households as a direct result.
Deuteronomy 6:5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 18 And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the Lord: that it may be well with thee"....
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!