Eyes Wide Open

PRAYER: Remain open-eyed to all that God has done and is doing (Isa45:14–25). #EyesWideOpen GodIsFaithful https://bible.com/bible/97/isa.45.14-25.MSG

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

These final words in Chapter 45 are all at once magnetic, arresting and captivating. These words draw us inescapably into God‘s plan of mercy and righteousness.

Whom God chooses (here, the Persian king, Cyrus) he empowers for the task (v14). God moves in powerful and mysterious ways (vv15-17). What God says and does he does out loud, for all to hear and know. Following God is not the result of some “secret path.” He has said, “If you seek me, you shall find me“ (vv18,19). What God says he will do (vv20,21).

All men will look to him for eternal salvation. His promises are true and every knee will eventually bow before him. All will confess him and give praise to him. Those who have worked against him will be ashamed. His followers will boast in him alone (vv22–25). God’s plan of redemption is visible for all to see. Lord, I commit to remain open-eyed to all you say and do.

No Stopping God’s Plan

PRAYER: Choose to be willing vessels in God’s hands (Isa 45:9–13). #TrustingGod #PotterAndClay https://bible.com/bible/116/isa.45.9-12.NLT

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Men with fleshly attitudes will always rail against God’s plans. It is true from time immemorial. Man stood in opposition to God in the garden and in the days of the Kings of Israel. They stood against Christ in his birth and in his life. They stood against the spread of the Gospel. They have stood, times without number, against revivals led by the Holy Spirit. How’d all that work out?

Men of the flesh act like clay in the potter’s hands telling the potter, “You don’t know what you are doing. Your hands have no skill.“ No matter, God continues his program of mercy and Redemption. There will be no refuting God’s work among men. Those who refute God will be dishonored. “The Lord of Heaven‘s Armies has spoken!“ Lord you are my Creator, my Deliverer, my redeemer. Mold my life according to your will – I yield to your skilled hands.

When Revival Comes

PRAYER: Seek the Lord for revival and righteousness (Isa 45:8). #Revival #Awakening https://bible.com/bible/116/isa.45.8.NLT

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

What happens when God delivers men from a drought of blessing, goodness and righteousness? What happens when revival comes, when awakening comes? Having lost their sense of worship for God in captivity, what would deliverance mean for Israel? What would it look like for us today.

The heavens will open wide with showers of blessing pouring down on the people. The skies open up and rain down righteousness on all men. Just as a parched land is watered and renewed, so the parched souls of men will sprout forth the beautiful fruit of salvation and righteousness. Such is the deliverance of Israel from her captivity. Such it will be for all men who repent and put their trust in God. Lord, pour down revival and awakening in our day on the parched souls of humanity.

Victory, Defeat; God’s Role

PRAYER: Understand the providence of God in your every pursuit (Isa 45:7). #TheProvidenceOfGod https://bible.com/bible/116/isa.45.7.NLT

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

“I [God] create good times and bad times.” Am I to understand here that God is the author of evil in the moral sense of sin? No! No! No! This statement is made in relation to the providences of God. He raises up prosperity, peace, pure religion and the like. He also calls forth adversity, calamity, ignorance, et all…but not evil, in the moral sense of sin. He gives us light. Darkness ensues because the light is withdrawn.*

When God withdraws his hand, bad things happen. But when God puts his hand of blessing on something (as here with Cyrus) good things happen. God’s point here is his complete and absolute superiority over all the things in heaven and on earth. He providentially works in the affairs of men. This is as true today as it was in the days of Cyrus.*

America may not want to hear this, but God says, “[I am he who] builds up nations, and [I am he who] destroys them. [I am he who] expands nations, and [I am he who] abandons them” (Job 12:23 NLT – see vv 13-24 for context https://bible.com/bible/116/job.12.13-24.NLT).

Lord put it into the heart of every prayer sentry to seek truth and learn from you in the good times and in the bad times. May every sentry standing on the wall speak with conviction and with compassion. May your Spirit not be withdrawn from our midst.

* See Barnes’ Notes on Isaiah (pg 149,150)

A Reason To Hope

If there was ever a time in America when we needed a certain hope it is now. Give us a deep and abiding trust in you Lord.

PRAYER: Trust God in the hard times of life as well as the good times (Isa 44:4-8). #GodIsGoodAllTheTime #AllTheTimeGodIsGood https://bible.com/bible/116/isa.45.4-8.NLT

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

God clearly explains why he summoned, called and equipped the Persian, Gentile, pagan king, Cyrus. Because he knew his people would need 1) a deliverer from the coming Babylonian captivity, 2) a hope in the midst of tragedy and darkness (God is the God of both dark times and good times – v7) and 3) he would use this prophecy to later reveal himself as the One who fulfills his redemption promises. The entire world would know that he is God.

Lord, it is clear to me that you are always working behind the scenes on my behalf. Nothing happens by accident. You give me hope when all hope seems gone. I am never without hope.

Never Underestimate God

PRAYER: Trust in God, who alone is mighty to save (Isa 44:28–45:3). #AnointedOne #GodDelivers https://bible.com/bible/116/isa.44.28.NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/isa.45.1-3.NLT

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Here is seen one of God’s most incredible prophetic accounts. God declares through Isaiah, by name, that “Cyrus,“ the Persian, shall be God’s “shepherd“ king, “anointed one,” to deliver Israel out of Babylonian captivity.

Why so incredible? Because this prophecy was delivered by Isaiah 150 years before Cyrus was born. Further, he is the only pagan, Gentile king referred to by God as “anointed one.“ Cyrus is, in this sense, a type of the greater Anointed One, Redeemer of Israel and of all men, Jesus Christ. God chooses whom he chooses for his work of redemption. Lord, you alone are mighty to save. I put my trust in you.

The Future Is Secure

PRAYER: As a child of God, believe and never doubt God‘s word (Isa 44:21-27). #SecureInGodsWord https://bible.com/bible/97/isa.44.21-28.MSG

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Someone has said, “When you pray, pay attention to what happens next.” In other words, God will answer. Be alert to circumstances around you. Don’t be oblivious. The same is true of prophecy, the prophetic word of God. When God’s prophets speaks, pay attention to what happens next.

God says, “Pay attention, O Jacob.” Your sins are swept away. God has paid the price to redeem you. “Return to me,“ the Holy One says. Shout for joy…break into song, for it is done. The Lord predicted it. He says, “I will rebuild my Holy city. I will restore the ruins.” The prophets of God do not lie. Father, knowing your history of redemption, knowing the price you paid at Calvary for my sins, I have every reason to be secure in your future redemption.

The Irony Of Idols

PRAYER: Seek to worship and serve the incomparable God. (Isa 44:9-20). #IdolIrony #FoolishWorship https://bible.com/bible/97/isa.44.12-20.MSG

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Idols: they are, at once, both ironic and absurd. Men forging idols out of wood or metal to worship, are incongruent, contradictory and nonsensical. The Lord scoffs at those who create idols with their own hands. They manufacture images to be worshiped out of wood and metal that the Holy one created.

Crafters cut down trees, use them for fire wood to cook or warm themselves. Then, with what’s left over, they carve out images to prize and worship. Really? Is that not foolish, absurd? None of these handcrafted idols can reveal, redeem or restore anything. But the Holy One, he can and he will. Lord, I come with assurance to the Holy One of Israel. I trust no other.

“Trash Day America!” – Put Out The Trash

PRAYER: Express a surrendered and willing spirit towards God (Isa 43:22-44:5). #SurrenderedHeart #ObedientHeart #PutOutTheTrash #Repentance https://bible.com/bible/97/isa.43.22-25.MSG

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Sad to say, though God makes his case for his love and mercy, still Israel rejects his call to return to him. Do the words RECALCITRANT, DELETERIOUS, mean anything? Instead of offering sacrifices of praise to honor God, they offered the best of their sinful trash. They flaunted the worst of their disobedience before God. Shameful. Am I any better Lord?

Yet, still, God offers his absolute mercy and forgiveness for sins committed against him. Why? For his own sake. For the sake of his name, his love. God says repentance (getting rid of the trash) will lead still to the pouring out his Spirit on Israel’s descendants and his blessing on their children. The people of God will once again be proud to claim God’s name over them. Lord, put within this aged sentry a surrendered and willing heart.

America, Ev’thing To Gain

PRAYER: In your tears, seek times of refreshing from God (Isa 43:1–21). #EverythingToGain #Repentance #SeekTimesOfRefreshing https://bible.com/bible/97/isa.43.16-21.MSG

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

“O Israel (O America), do not fear.” When judgment comes upon her, God will not destroy her completely. God will ransom his own, call them by name to himself. Through deep waters, difficulties and oppression, God promises to be with her (1-4).

“Do not fear.“ God will deliver his wayward people through the fire of judgment. Those who have trusted, as well as those without understanding – all will see that I, the Lord, I am able to deliver from captivity (5-13).

God says, “I am about to do a new thing” (v19). My chosen ones will be refreshed (see also Acts 3:19). They will once again honor God. Lord, through tears (of repentance) may I seek times of refreshing from you, I have everything to gain.

Is America The Subject Of God’s Fury?

PRAYER: Listen to God and do what is right in his sight (Isa 43:18–25). #Judgment #GreatAmericanFailure #TurnToGod https://bible.com/bible/97/isa.42.18-25.MSG

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

America – can we not see with our own eyes and hear with her own ears what is right? How long shall we refuse righteousness and ignore what is right before our own eyes and ears?

If God did not withhold judgment on his own people, Israel, how will he not withhold judgment on the nations that reject and ignore him? America has turned her back on God. She, like Israel of old, is the target of God’s fury…yet she refuses to understand. She refuses to learn her lessons.

Consider just the past 18 months: COVID pandemic, “George Floyd “– riots, grotesque racial division among us, out of control forest fires, inflation that threatens our economy, earthquakes claiming thousands of lives, inept national leadership foisted upon us and the demise of our national/international honor, pride and global influence.

Father, open the eyes of this great nation to your love, mercy and forgiveness. May she repent while there is still time and turn back to you. Begin by breaking the heart of this old sentry, Lord!

H I M !

PRAYER: Magnify the Lord for his faithfulness (Isa 42:1-25). #GodIsFaithful https://bible.com/bible/116/isa.42.6-7.NLT

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Such a beautiful picture of the Lord’s Messiah (vv1–9). He will bring justice. He will not crush the frail reed or snuff out the last flickering light of a candle. He himself will be a light to guide the nations. He will open blind eyes, deaf ears and set free captives held in bondage to the enemy, the evil one.

God’s chosen Messiah, Jesus, is worthy of praise (vv10-17. He will lead blind Israel on a new path, smooth their road. He will not forsake them, though they have failed him time and time again. Lord, you deal justly with my sin, but you do not crush me. Though I so often fail you (vv18-25), you never fail me. Grace is greater than all my sin.

Case Closed!

PRAYER: Render your heart abandoned to God (Isa 41:1-29). #AbandonedToGod https://bible.com/bible/116/isa.41.4-29.NLT

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

As Judah flaunts her foreign gods and idolatrous practices, the God of all providence challenges. The God of Israel predicts their future in a conquering king from the east who would defeat their captors, Babylon (promise no. 1) he would then release God‘s people from their captivity (promise no. 2). God will redeem his people. They will be strong and victorious again.

Fountains and rivers will spring up and flow in the desert (vv17-20). It is predicted. It is miraculous. What idol, made by man, can do this? But God, the Holy One of Israel, does this to prove his worthiness (vv26-29). God has made his case. There is no rebuttal (v26). There is no God like Jehovah-God. Lord, render my heart wholly abandoned to you.

Can’t Outthink, Outclass, Outsmart, Outperform Jehovah God

PRAYER: Put your trust in God to supply whatever you lack (Isaiah 40: 12-31). #SoarLikeEagles https://bible.com/bible/116/isa.40.31.NLT

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Having announced the great redemption of God for his people, his majesty in the heavens and in the earth is extolled. This Sovereign God has no equal. He is incomparable to any man-made idol. Knowing his vast knowledge, understanding and power, knowing his compassionate love for his people, how can one say that he ignores those he loves.

Our God is everlasting. He never grows weary. He gives strength and power to the weak and the powerless. Trust in him and you will soar high like an eagle, run and never faint. Lord, give this old sentry a heart to trust you fully every day to supply whatever I may lack.

R&R – I’m Listening Lord

This sentry continues along a path of renewal and restoration. I have immeresed myself in Isaiah 40-66. Restoration, redemption and the future glory of Israel and the Church.

August 4, 2021 – Isaiah 46-48

Expect God to work. Expect him to work in the most unlikely of ways.

The false gods of men (in Israel), were conceived in their own creative imagery, fashioned by their own hands. They offered nothing. No wisdom, no protection, no magical charms; predictable, safe, powerless.

Your captors have bound you. You are tested by fire of suffering. Yahweh says your captors will flee before another pagan king (Cyrus) of his anointing (an unlikely source). The Holy one of Israel predicts it 150-200 years before it happened.

Then, the Holy one will restore you and you will sing of his glory.

I WILL SING OF MY REDEEMER (Philip P. Bliss, 1878)

1) I will sing of my Redeemer

And His wondrous love to me;

On the cruel cross He suffered,

From the curse to set me free.

Chorus

Sing, oh sing, of my Redeemer,

With His blood, He purchased me.

On the cross, He sealed my pardon,

Paid the debt, and made me free.

2) I will tell the wondrous story,

How my lost estate to save,

In His boundless love and mercy,

He the ransom freely gave.

(CHORUS)

3) I will praise my dear Redeemer,

His triumphant power I’ll tell,

How the victory He giveth

Over sin, and death, and hell.

(CHORUS)

4) I will sing of my Redeemer,

And His heav’nly love to me;

He from death to life hath brought me,

Son of God with Him to be.

(CHORUS)