Morning and Evening Worship
By Stephen N. Haskell
The sanctuary service was taken from the view given Moses of the heavenly sanctuary, and the counterpart of that service consists of Christian duties which are in harmony with Christ’s work in heaven. The highest type of Christianity is faith and works. Faith without works is dead, being alone. These works are to keep step with Christ’s work in heaven. There were three articles of furniture in the first apartment in the earthly sanctuary—the table of showbread, or “bread of his presence,” the candlestick with its seven lamps, and the golden altar of incense. Heb. 9:2; Ex. 40:4, 5. The services connected with each of these articles taught essential, practical truths for every Christian. It is impossible to co-operate with Christ in his work as our high priest without a knowledge of these truths. In view of this fact, the prophet said, “Wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the Lord is his treasure.” Isa. 33:6. What lesson was taught by the altar of incense and its service? It was the work of the priest to burn sweet incense upon the golden altar when he dressed the lamps every morning and evening. Ex. 30:7, 8. During this ceremony the whole multitude of the people were without, praying. Luke 1:9–11. It was at the time of this service that the angel Gabriel appeared to Zacharias and announced the birth of John. Luke 1:11–15. Several events are associated together, namely, the offering of the morning and evening burnt offering, the offering of incense, the trimming of the lamps, and the morning and evening worship on the part of the people. Here lies the foundation of morning and evening worship in families, with a promise of God’s special blessing. The families that neglected family worship in the days of Jeremiah were classed among the heathen, as shown by the following: “Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not upon thy name: for they have eaten up Jacob, and devoured him, and consumed him, and have made his habitation desolate.” Jer. 10:25. The judgments of the Lord fell upon those who burned strange incense. Lev. 10:1–3. But David prays, “Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.” Ps. 141:2. Daniel considered praying three times a day, with his face toward Jerusalem, of such importance that rather than compromise this privilege he went into the lion’s den. Daniel 6. Over one hundred psalms testify to the fact that David was a man of prayer and praise. “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.” Ps. 55:17. Again, “O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.” Ps. 95:6. In heaven there is an altar and censer with incense, and a service conducted by our great High Priest answering to this earthly morning and evening prayer. “There was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.” Rev. 8:3, 4; 5:8. The incense represents the righteousness of Christ that makes our prayers acceptable in God’s sight. Much incense is added, so when family worship is instituted on earth, the prayers of the family ascend, and Christ adds much of his righteousness, which makes them acceptable before God. Christ rose early in the morning to pray. Cornelius had his season for prayer, and while praying was visited by the angel and instructed to send for Peter. The angel found Peter during his noon-time season of prayer. Acts 10. Peter and John attended the regular hour of prayer at the temple. Acts 3:1. Elijah and the prophets of old had their regular seasons of prayer. It was at the time of the evening oblation that the Lord answered Daniel’s prayer. The Lord will hear prayer at all times, but he that regards morning and evening worship will find that the Lord especially regards it, and at such times there is an abundant supply of grace given to impart strength and wisdom to overcome the temptations of Satan.