Hope Through Discipline

(Jer 30:10,11)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Know the hope of restoration through God‘s correction (Jer 30:10,11). #TrustGod’sPlan #Prophecy #God’sCorrection #HolyDiscipline

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The utter destruction of Israel and Judah is predicted (and accomplished). But God says to take hope. Be encouraged. The justice for their sin would be complete and all encompassing. God is justified in his actions. But the judgment is remedial, temporary. It is for the purpose of correction, redemption.

Further, God promises to bring judgment upon every nation who has participated in Israel’s destruction due to their own evil intentions. But the promise to Israel is that she will one day return to her homeland. There she will find rest and peace. No discipline is fun. But it will bring the peaceable fruit of righteousness (Heb 12:11).

Lord, may I respond to your correction with repentance, hope and gratitude.

Downrange

(Jer 30:8,9)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Rest secure in the certain hope of Christ’s coming (Jer 30:8,9). #TrustGod’sPlan #Prophecy

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Jeremiah points to a restoration of the nation of Israel. In places, it seems to point to a close historic restoration. In other places, it appears as eschatological, pointing to Christ’s advent and even beyond, downrange.

I like the note in my Life Application Study Bible. “These prophecies are like looking at several mountain peaks in range . From a distance, they look as though they are next to each other, when actually they are miles apart.“

Today we have the benefit of seeing how history has fulfilled prophecy. There is prophecy downrange still to be fulfilled. So we may have hope certain in Christ’s predicted 2nd return. Lord, I have every reason to believe in the fulfillment of prophecy yet to come.

God Speaks; It’s Done

(Jer 30:1-7)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Walk in reliance and trust in God’s sovereign will and plan (eg. JER 30:1-7). #TrustGod’sPlan #FullyRelyOnGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Through the voice of Jeremiah, God makes it clear that though Israel and Judah will live through terrifying times, the nation, as one, will survive. Because of sin and rebellion, the land of Israel and the holy city of Jerusalem will be lost, the people dispersed throughout the world. However, God will restore the nation of Israel.

Make no mistake, recovery of the nation of Israel and its people will not be a coincidence of history. It is a matter of prophetic utterance and record (v1,2). God is sovereign and in view of history we see his hand at work, even today, to restore his people to their land. Lord, may I trust and rest in your sovereign will and plan.

High Cost of Rebellion

(Jer 34:1-6)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Walk always in deep surrender to God (eg. Jer 34:1-6).

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

While Ezekiel, in Babylon, is speaking oracles of judgment over Jerusalem and the nations surrounding her, Jeremiah is speaking words of judgment over king Zedekiah in Jerusalem. It is not a happy ending for this rebellious king.

At the time these words were being spoken, Babylon was laying siege to Jerusalem. She would be utterly destroyed. Zedekiah would be removed and exiled to Babylon. There he would die. He refused to repent and turn back to God. He faced absolute certain demise. The price of arrogance and rebellion against God is so very high.

Lord, may my life be characterized by deep and heartfelt surrender to you.

Exalt the Giver, Not the Gift

(Ezk 28:11-19)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May our focus ever be on the giver of favor (God), not the gifts of favor (eg. Ezk 28:11-19). #JesusHighAndLiftedUp #ExaltTheLivingKing

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

This has always been a fascinating passage to me.

Ezekiel describes the nature of king of Tyre. He was apparently so evil and arrogant that God paints a picture of him as Satan himself; a man motivated totally by evil. In this description we are given a look behind the curtain of the unseen world, and the one who leads it, Satan (Eph 6:12).

Satan was a creature created by God and was in the garden; more cunning than any other animal in the field (Gen 3:1). This creature was beautifully adorned. He was an highly appointed angelic guardian (see Ezk 1:13; 10:1-9, et al) with access to God (Zec 3:1; Job 1:6,7).

But this created being of God was banished from his high place because of pride (Isa 14:12-15; 2Pe 2:4; 1Ti 3:6; Rev 12:9). The fate of the king of Tyre was the same as that of Satan.*

Lord, may my focus ever be on God alone, high, and lifted up; he must increase, I must decrease (Jhn 3:30).

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* if God chooses to favor you in some special way, remember, it’s not because you’re so bright, but because God is so sovereign. He can humble you in short order. Your special gift is for his glory and purposes, not your own.

Great Expectations

(Ezk 28:24-26)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Live in great expectations of the promises of God (eg. Ezk 28:24-26). #DressedAndReady #SoonReturnOfChrist

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Halfway through eight chapters of prophetic oracles of judgment against the nations surrounding Israel and Judah, God drops a promise of restoration to Israel.

There was a return of God‘s people to their land from exile in Babylon under Zerubbabal, Ezra and Nehemiah. In addition, the nation-state of Israel was reborn in 1948.

But there is yet to come the complete fulfillment of verses 25,26. The final fulfillment will take place when Christ returns to set up his eternal kingdom. We are closer to that day now than ever before. Come Lord Jesus!

Lord, may I remain in step with you in great expectation of your glorious return and restoration.

Judgment of the Nations

(Ezk 25:3 )

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Surrender to the righteousness of God in Christ (eg. Ezk 25:3). #GodImpartialJudge #BlessedAreNationsWhoServeGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

For eight chapters in Ezekiel (25-32) the Prophet will pronounce judgment on the nations around Israel and other adversaries. These chapters show God’s impartiality over sin. These were nations who rejoiced in or contributed to the downfall and suffering of Israel and Judah.

The nations of Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia, Tyre, Sidon and Egypt are indicted for their idolatry, pride, crimes, and derision of God‘s people. God‘s justice extends to all those who rebel and stand against God. Lord, you show that there are none righteous; all are in need of grace.

May I Speak Freely?

(Ezk 24:25-27)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May God be glorified in your limitations (‭‭Ezk‬ ‭24:25-27). #God’sStrengthForMyWeakness #GodBeGlorified

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

This prophetic segment ends on an historic note. When the attack on Jerusalem had been carried out, Ezekiel would be notified. At that point, he would be allowed to speak freely again. Ezekiel had been struck dumb for some seven years, speaking only messages from God.* Imagine how isolated he felt. But this too was a sign of God‘s judgment and mighty works.

There are times when God may temporarily (or permanently) set limitations in our lives. He does it for his glory, purposes and effects (Apostle Paul experienced something similar 2Co 12:17). It is by grace alone that the man or woman of God comes to rely totally on him to overcome.

Lord, grant me the grace to live overcoming weakness in your strength alone.

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* History records that Ezekiel was unable to speak, except when his tongue was loose by God to deliver God‘s message to the people (note 3:26,27 – the beginning of his prophetic ministry; approx. 593 BC). Ezekiel would be allowed to speak freely again when a fugitive survivor from Jerusalem reported its final destruction to Ezekiel and the exiles in Babylon (note 33:21,22 – approx. 586 BC).