Song From The Watchtower (Ver 2b)

All Praise To The All Powerful God.

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Stand fast in trial; trust in, rely upon God‘s promises (Hab 3:3–7). #JudgmentWillCome #GodJudgesTheNations #StandFastInTrial #GodOmnipotant

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

What does the watchman see from his post? He sees the Lord coming in splendor and brilliance as a sunrise. From his hands he emits flashes of light, symbol of devine power. Pestilence and plagues go before him devouring everything in sight (as against Egypt and Assyria)*. God judges the wicked. The nations tremble before his power and all knowing eyes. Judgment will come for godless nations and peoples.

The eternal One shatters and levels everything men thought were everlasting. It is a terror for them to be confronted with such power. The watchman sees the coming judgment of Babylon (and it did); lawlessness, terror and evil will find its end in the judgment of God. America would do well to heed the lessons of nations judged by God (eg. Egypt, Assyria, Babylon).

Lord, this old sentry will stand fast through trials in awe of God‘s omniscience, presence, and power.

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* As in the 10 plagues of Egypt – Exodus 5-12; as in the Israel’s defeat of Assyria – 2Ch 32:22

Song From The Watchtower (Ver 2)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Give praise to God for his radiant splendor and certain glorious coming (Hab 3:3). #TheComingOneTrueGod #ExaltTheComingChrist #TheGloryOfGod #Redemption

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

After Hsbakkuk’s opening petition (for revival and mercy) praise is his response to all that God had shown him. No more questions. Only praise. Just as the watchmen sits high above the camp looking, watching for activity on the horizon, so Habakkuk sees in the distance a theophany of the glorious and radiant splendor of the coming one true God.

Habakkuk’s imagery recalls a great and glorious event in Israel’s history (deliverance from Egypt). Moses describes God as coming in glory to establish his nation at Mount Sinai in Teman and Mt Paran in the region of Edom (Deu 33:1,2). God appears to Habakkuk in the same glorious light and regal splendor. He will come to deliver Israel again and judge Babylon for her godlessness.

“SELAH!” (A musical term for a symbol crash or trumpets to blow; stop and let those preceding words sink into your heart and mind). Lord, what an amazing sight to behold. From Habakkuk’s watchtower to mine I see through his eyes the glory of God‘s certain coming in power. The sentry joins him in giving praise to God for his certain coming in radiant glory.

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Consider Ezekiel’s description of God’s glory (Ezk 1:28; 10:4; 43:2):

1:28 Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around.

Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking.

10:4 And the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub to the threshold of the house, and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was filled with the brightness of the glory of the LORD.

43:2 And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the east. And the sound of his coming was like the sound of many waters, and the earth shone with his glory.

The Apostle John’s description of God’s glory (Rev 18:1; 21:11; 21:23):

18:1 After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was made bright with his glory.

21:11 having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.

21:23 And the city phas no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for qthe glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.

MEMORIAL DAY

MORE THAN..

A BACKYARD BBQ

Song From The Watchtower (Ver 1)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

May you embrace a righteous compassionate God; may America turn now to God. May God send awakening and be merciful in judgment (Hab 3:2). #WorshipGod #AltarOfPraise #RunToGod #Awakening #TurnNowToGod #Repent #Revival

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Habakkuk has heard God‘s reply to his heartfelt questions – why evil prevails. He is astounded and awestruck at God’s mighty work. He now enters into intimate communion with God in prayer. Presumably, he is still in his “watchtower“; that place of seeking. Like Job, he concludes “I have heard all about you, Lord. I am filled with awe at what I see” (see Job 42:5,6).

The prophet sings his song of prayer admitting the deep need of the people. This is the only petition in this prayer. 1) “Help us Lord, as you have before [send revival] …and 2) In your anger, show mercy.“

If we know that God won’t allow evil to persist forever; if we know that God will ultimately rain down judgment on godless nations, would this not be an appropriate petition to God in our day concerning America? Absolutely!

There is but one place to go in times of trouble. That is to our righteous and compassionate God. Lord, you are fierce in your righteousness judgments, but I am not afraid to embrace you.

Prophet Minstrel: A Song of Praise

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Come to your altar of personal praise and worship of God (Hab 3:1,2). #WorshipGod #AltarOfPraise

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

This is a prayer of Habakkuk sung to the Lord. It is to be sung with instruments (v19). This is intimate union with and worship of our great God. The prophet comes with questions as to how long God will allow evil to prevail (Ch 1).

The prophet then comes to his post to hear God‘s reply. He becomes the prophet minstrel, singing God‘s reply as a song of taunts, a woeful dirge (Ch 2).

Now the prophet minstrel sings a glorious hallelujah chorus. It is a song of praise and worship stemming from his intimate communion with God. Lord, I join the prophet in coming to my own cathedral of private devotion. I lift my heart, hands, and voice in worship of you for all that is mine in redemption. Thank you Lord!

Prophet Minstrel: An Ode (v.5)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Receive, revere, respond to the voice of the Triune Living God; he is not silent (Hab 2:18–20). #GodIsNotSilent #GodSpeaks #TalkToGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The prophet minstrel composes his last stanza as received from God; the song of taunts sung by the prophet; a woeful dirge, V.5. It begins with the ludicrous creation of man-made idols that neither speak nor counsel anyone. They neither see nor protect. In absurdity, the people will call out to these deaf, dumb and inanimate idols. But they do not, cannot respond. [Elijah and the prophets of Baal comes to mind – 1Ki 18:26–29; vv36-38]

But God, who speaks and listens is in his holy temple. He stands above and apart from creation. He speaks and the whole world is silent before him in awestruck wonder. How foolish it is to put faith or trust in any creation of my own making. Lord, my hope is in the living, breathing, triune God, who is present and is not silent. He speaks powerfully into the sentry’s life.

Prophet Minstrel: An Ode (v.4)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Never abuse the power of your influence over others (Hab 2:15-17).

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The prophet continues his song of taunts; a woeful dirge, v.4. A graphic allegorical lyric depicts Babylon as the host of a drunken, debauched party [drunken debauchery being a Babylonian characteristic]. Her nation neighbors were forced to drink, in a drunken orgy of false promises. Then, as in the parable of “The King With No Clothes,” they were stripped naked of resources, laughed at, mocked and made the fool.*

God says, “Soon it will be your turn, O Babylon, to be disgraced. For the Lord will force you to drink full from his cup of judgment. Your glory will be turned to abject nakedness and shame. You have built towns with wood stripped from the beautiful forests and those towns are filled your murder and terror. Soon it will be you, O Babylon, who is stripped, terrorized and cut down. Your end will come in violent destruction (Pro 24:17,18). The abuse of power and privilege is unconscionable. ”The Lord is in his holy Temple. Let all the earth be silent before him” (2:20).

Lord, may I never abuse my position of influence to torment those within my circle of reach.

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* How simple-minded it is to be made to look a fool as the butt of another’s heinous joke. But how much more deranged to be the tormentor of such a fool?

Prophet Minstrel: An Ode (v.3)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Put your hope in the coming glory of Christ (Hab 2:12-14). #HopeInChtist #TheComingKingdom #ChristTheKing

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The prophet sings his song of taunts: a woeful dirge, v.3. Babylonian plunder, pride and perversity stand as witness against her. Murder, bloodshed, and oppression built her cities. Yet they will soon be a pile of ashes at the hands of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Here the dirge offers signs of hope for the terrorized.

Babylon’s tiny piece of history will dissolve quickly in a sea of God‘s glory that will one day, conquer the nations and cover the earth (Psm 72:19; Isa 11:9). No nation who exists by tyranny, oppression, and bloodshed will be left standing in the coming age of Christ (Mat 24:30,31; 2Th 1:7–10; Rev 19:19–21). ”The Lord is in his holy Temple. Let all the earth be silent before him” (2:20).
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Lord, the old sentry’s hope is lifted by the promise of God’s coming kingdom and his glory that will cover the earth.

Prophet Minstrel: An Ode (v.2)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Bridle any form of intemperance: be humble (Hab 2:9-11). #Repent #TurnNowToGod #Judgment

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The prophet continues his lyrical song of taunts; a woeful dirge, Verse 2 – Here, find we, the lofty haughty heart which seeks to immortalize its own power. Like the eagle, Babylon attempts to build her nest (wealth and palaces) high above earth’s fray. She seeks to make herself impregnable.

But Babylon’s murderous heart is her shame, not her glory. She will be cut off. The stones and timber obtained by dishonest and rapacious cruelty cry out as witness against her. Soon this nation, and any other nation that thrives on cruelty toward others, will itself be cut down. No matter how impregnable she thinks she is. ”The Lord is in his holy Temple. Let all the earth be silent before him” (2:20)

Lord, self-aggrandizement can never be seen as honorable. May my heart humbly bridle any such attitudes and surrender to God‘s glory.

Prophet Minstrel: An Ode (v.1)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Show yourself straight, true, and honest with others (Hab 2:6–8). #Repent #TurnNowToGod #Judgment

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Now the prophet writes as God instructed. It is a lyrical song of taunts, sung by the prophet; a woeful dirge. Verse 1 – Babylon had ill gotten gain through merciless intimidation and extortion. She shall not go unpunished. Her debtor nations will rise up as one against her and plunder her.

Babylon, the victimizer will become the victim. She is seen as trembling violently before her oppressors. She will suffer the penalty of her crimes; reap what she had sown (Pro 22:8; Gal 6:7) and so she did. These words may be applied to all the nations at any time. ”The Lord is in his holy Temple. Let all the earth be silent before him” (2:20)

Lord, defrauding comes to my mind. May I never defraud another. If I have, show me, that I might make it right.

Rapacious Evil

May America turn from her godless path and may righteous faith prevail (Hab 2:4,5). #TheJustLiveByFaith #RapaciousEvil #TurnNowToGod #Repent

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Habakkuk sits pensively with his spiritual ears open to hear how God will answer his questions (1:2–4). The silence is deafening. Then, into the silence, God begins his woeful dirge of condemnation for Babylon. Her rapacity will not go unpunished; judgment will come.

Babylon (even America) is a nation become arrogant, swollen and puffed up like an old toad. Her passions are only for rapacious evil and unrighteousness. She makes a mockery of all that is morally good. She is a godless, corrupt and perverse nation. She is a drunken nation state with an insatiable appetite to enslave all people to government. Judgment is certain. It is already crouching at the door.

In stark contrast stands God’s righteous ones. “The righteous will live [know abundant life] by their steadfast faith [in Jehovah God].” These words sparkle like a jewel shinning through the darkness from deep within an earthen cavern. These words have given hope to God’s righteous ones through the ions of time, from Habakkuk to the Apostle Paul to Martin Luther and beyond.*

Lord, may a righteous faith prevail from deep within my soul; from deep within the soul of America. .

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* The Faith of the Righteous

Rom 1:17

Gal 3:11

Heb 10:38

It Will Come!

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Patiently wait on the trustworthy judgments of God (Hab 2:2,3). #JudgmentWillCome #TrustworthyJudgment

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

God speaks to the watchman in the watchtower. He holds nothing back. “Write it down plainly Habakkuk, so that the messenger and the message is clearly understood by those who listen.” God is not like dumb idols crafted by men, who cannot speak – he hears and he answers (v18).

God assures the prophet that the vision of the future will surely come, be fully fulfilled. Though it may seem slow in coming, patiently wait for it. Sin will not go unpunished. The storm clouds of judgment are gathering and will rain down at the appointed time. Lord, waiting while sin and evil abound is hard. But we shall soon see the glory of God‘s righteous judgment. IT WILL COME!!

On The Ramparts

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Watchman, stand in the ramparts and sound a clear message of warning, consolation and hope (Hab 2:1). #Watchtower #Watchman #ManOfGod #WomanOfGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Habakkuk has lodged his concerns with God over God‘s plan for judgment on Judah. He now stations himself in the “watchtower” resolved to watch, wait and listen for God‘s reply. The watchtower was a rampart, a citadel, elevated land. It was an observation point high over the camp with a clear view of the landscape.*

But “watchtower” here is not so much a place as it is the prophet’s attitude and expectation. It is vivid imagery, used of the man or woman of God who stations him/herself in a place to hear from God and sound any warnings or sightings given. What a beautiful picture of those who diligently seek to hear God’s voice and announce any message that comes.

Lord, this old prayer sentry comes daily to my watch post. Like the watchman on the wall, I view the landscape of my home, my neighborhood, community, church, nation and world, through the lens of your Holy word and the coming Christ. Then I write, post, pray and intercede for what has been shown to me. May this aging voice continue to sound a clear note of readiness, warning, consolation and hope to all who will listen.

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* Scripture links to “Watchmen on the Wall”:

A U.S. Senator’s Prayer

I received an email this morning from my U.S. Senator, John Cornyn. He spoke of the values that are under attack in America. He spoke of the importance of religious freedom. He spoke of the attacks on the Jewish community on our college campuses.

This was his prayer and I join him in this prayer: “I will pray for guidance, protection from our enemies, mercy, and steadfast love. I will pray for the security, peace, and prosperity of our nation. And I will pray for God’s light to shine upon the world.”

It is hard to understand why some hate America so. It is nothing more than a pure sense of evil and satanic forces. Evil hates all for which America has stood. It is the same force of satanic evil that put Christ on the cross.

“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places” (Eph 6:12)

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (1Co 10:3-5).

Thank you Senator John Cornyn for standing for righteousness.

AN “OMG” MOMENT

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Bring your perplexed heart respectfully to God (Hab 1:12-17 to 2:1). #SeekGodsUnderstanding #BoldlyRespectfullySeekGod

PERPLEXED: Habakkuk Stands Watch to Hear God’s Reply

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

This is Habakkuk’s “OMG“ moment with God. He is perplexed. His complaint, however, is rooted in his view of God – Holy and Eternal One; “our Rock” who is pure through and through, who cannot, will not, wink at evil. How does God justify using godless (more treacherous people than Judah) to punish them?

These Godless Babylonians will justify their conquests as affirming their own belief in their own strength as their power – they will worship at their altars of success, wealth and might. How do you let that happen God? “I will stand in my watchtower, ready to hear what you say Oh, Lord.”

My Lord, it is incumbent upon this duty sentry to respectfully bring my oft perplexed heart to you for answers and understanding.