Buried Treasure

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May you know peace beyond all comprehension (Psm 119:161-168). #PeaceWithoutLimits #PeaceBeyoundComprehension

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

We love to watch movies of great adventurous raiders of ancient tombs, or pirates searching for buried treasure in uncharted islands. Here the psalmist becomes the happy hunter of great treasures – he finds untold wealth in the pages of scripture (vv162,165).

This buried treasure in the pages of God‘s word brings what wealth, power, and fame cannot – PEACE. Peace to the troubled soul. Peace to the broken heart. Peace to the nations whose people are harassed by godless men. Lord, your word gives me peace that passes all understanding (Jhn 14:27; Phi 4:7).

Resolved!

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Find your resolve for life in God’s word (Psm 119:153-160). #ResolvedToFollowGodsWord #ResolvedInLife

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Many there are that disregard God’s word. They are not satisfied with unbelief. No, they feel it is their job to ridicule me or persecute me.

While I struggle to understand why they so hate God‘s word, even me for loving it, I trust God to argue my case and protect me. I do not swerve from the truth of God‘s word. It is the very essence of truth. It will win the day.

Lord, may my heart be resolved & steadfast in your truth.

Renewal

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Look daily to God‘s word and prayer for renewal (Psm 119:145-152). #RenewalOfSpirit #PrayerAndGodsWord

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Psalm 119:147 has long been the motivation for my early Morning Watch hour. I come praying, seeking, crying out to God in the early morning hours. I read God‘s word daily. It fuels my prayer for those I love and have committed to pray.

God‘s word revives, refreshes, renews, and restores my soul. The Lord is near in his word and in my intercessions. No matter the challenges in my life, God‘s word and prayer have been a fortress around me. Lord, I have found no sustaining power like prayer and the knowledge of God‘s word.

Perfect Treasure

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May you know the treasured enlightenment of God‘s word (Psm 119:137-144). #GodsWordThoroughlyTested #TreasuredEnlightenment

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

My heart agrees with the psalmist here. I have found God‘s word to be fair, trustworthy, and perfect in every way. It has never failed me in any circumstance of life.

God‘s promises truly are thoroughly tested and found 100% adequate for all of life’s circumstances. When pressure and stress overwhelm me I find comfort, peace and joy in God‘s word. Lord, I find in your word, the perfect treasure of valued enlightenment.

Open For Business

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Retain a heart that is open for business to God‘s word (Psm 119:129-136). #HeartOpenForBudiness #NoClosedMind

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

God‘s word is no lofty book of exalted philosophies reserved only for the most learned. No! It’s teaching gives light (understanding) to the simplest of minds. Even a child can grasp its meanings.

God’s word guides every step…if I am so predisposed to listen. It keeps me from being overcome by evil. It delivers me from those whose aim it is to do harm. The Lord teaches me from his word. Lord, may my heart remain “open for business” to the teachings of your word.

More Desirable Than Gold

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Seek to know God’s word above all else (Psm 119:121-128). #Undivided #WhollyDevotedToGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The word of God – “more desirable than gold“ (v127). The psalmist exalts the word of God to the level of a most treasured possession. He expresses a deep love and respect for God‘s word.

Further, the psalmist points to his life as one who serves the living God because of his living word to men. He seeks justice, mercy, and love from God as he faithfully seeks to learn from and follow God‘s word. Lord, I receive your word as exceeding all other sources of wisdom in my life.

UNDIVIDED!

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Be undivided in your devotion to God and his word (Psm 119:113-120). #Undivided #WhollyDevotedToGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

I am reminded immediately here that a double minded man is unstable in all his ways (Jas 1:5–8). Jesus said, “You cannot serve two masters“ (Mat 6:24). I must rid my life of evil minded people and fill my life with people who love God‘s word; are undivided in their loyalty to God.

It is God and his word that sustains me, rescues and informs me in the choices I make and the voices I follow. I am in awe of God‘s word and his work in my life. Lord, my choice in life is clear. I will serve and devote myself to the Lord God (Josh 24:15).

Trust To The End

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Trust, obey and follow God’s word to the end (Psm 119:105-112). #TrustInGodsWord

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Here is found a most familiar memory verse, Psalm 119:105, “Thy word is a lamp onto my feet, a light into my path.“ The psalmist renews his own ongoing promise to trust, obey and follow God‘s holy word.

No matter the circumstances in life, the call to God is for renewal and restoration. Even in the face of adversaries and suffering, the psalmist finds God‘s word as a precious treasure – a delight. He is determined to keep it all the way to the very end.

Lord, your word is always a faithful guide in my life, for which I am grateful.

Discerning the Truth

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Seek to know God’s word and be discerning of truth. (Psm 119:97-104). #TrustInGodsWord #BeDiscerningOfTruth

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The psalmist is looking at God‘s word as practical instruction, wisdom. He says God‘s word makes him “superior“ in wisdom, understanding and judgment to his enemies, teachers and elders.

This is no arrogant statement. It simply points out that God‘s word gives men the capacity to be discerning of the spirits. Men may know the difference between truth and error. It is seeing through the spirit of the age; any spirit hostile and/or lax towards truth. This false spirit persecuted the writer for trusting in God’s word. It will us too.

Lord, you give me good reason to trust in and believe your word.

Plan With No Limits

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Strive daily to follow and obey God‘s word, his plan (Psm 119:89-96). #TrustInGodsWord #GodsWordIsEternal

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

God‘s word is eternal. It is as certain as the earth we stand on, that he created and sustains. All of the earth and all those in the earth serve his plan. It is a plan for good and not evil (Jer 29:11).

God’s plan, his commandments, give me life, hope, and joy in the midst of any misery I may endure. I should quietly and eagerly be always mindful of God‘s word. It is perfect, without limits and is good for my instruction (2Ti 3:16,17). Lord, I will strive daily to willingly obey your word.

It is Enough

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Trust God’s word/faithfulness to carry you through (Psm 119:81-88). #SchoolOfAffliction #BrokenNotDefeated #TrustingGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Here is the psalmist, pressed hard by derogatory elements, as a leather skin is shriveled by exposure to adverse elements of smoke. Perhaps even the heat of flame. Yet, he is undaunted.

This reminds me of Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 4:8–10, he is “…struck down, but not destroyed…“ et al.

The psalmist’s detractors have near destroyed him, but they have not shaken his faith in God’s word. Yet, he stands in need of God’s grace to continue in his walk of faith – which his tormentors hate. Lord, I rely on the sufficiency of your grace in time of need to carry me through.

IT IS ENOUGH!

The School of Affliction

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May you earnestly seek God in your trials (Psm 119:73-80). #SchoolOfAffliction #SeekGodInAflictions

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

I should be aware that others eyes are upon me. The psalmist says, “May all who fear you [God] find in me a cause for joy.” The School of Affliction may be for a time bitter. But with affliction comes the comfort of God for those who look to his word for help (Heb 12:10,11; Psm 119:50).

In the face of trials and affliction, I will seek God in his word to surround me with his tender mercies. I may also draw strength from those godly ones around me (v79). My delight is in God‘s word and among those who fear him. Lord, may I have the good sense to seek you in my afflictions.

Words of High Value

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Value God‘s word above all other wealth (Psm 119:65-72). #LoveGodsWord #ValueGodsWordAboveAllElse #GodsWordABlessing

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The psalmist asks God for good judgment and knowledge.* A lot of good judgment comes from having made bad judgments – not that it has to be that way. But the psalmist admits to have wandered off the path of understanding. Yet, God was merciful. He reveals that the suffering from bad judgment teaches us to pay more close attention to God‘s word, follow it more carefully (vv67, 71; Jas 1:2-7).

Others may devalue God word. But God’s word will always lead me in truth. I can have confidence in that. God‘s word is more valuable than any precious metal. Lord, I have learned from experience to value highly your word.

__________

* The Knowledge Riddle

He who knows not and knows not that he knows not is ignorant – Avoid him.

He who knows not and knows that he knows not is hungry – Feed him.

He who knows and knows not that he knows is asleep – Awaken him.

He who knows and knows that he knows is a leader – Follow him.

McCoy McLemore Jr. – American NBA basket ball player in the 1960s and 1970s. As a Christian speaker he spoke these words to prison inmates in a Bill Glass evangelistic Weekend of Champions.