Exalted In The Heavens

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Lift your eyes to the heavens in praise and honor to God (Psm 104:1-4). #TheHeavensDeclareGodsGlory

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

While Psalm 103 gives praise for God‘s compassion towards the people of history, Psalm 104 calls us to give praise to God for his wisdom, goodness and power through all of his creation. God is seen as majestic in his light adorning the newly created heavens (Gen 1:1–8; creation, days one and two).

God makes his home (figuratively) above, in the upper chambers of heaven. Clouds are seen as his chariots as he rides on the wings of the wind. These are metaphors describing God’s majesty (Psm 19:1-4; Rom 1:20,25). Angels, his messengers, are described in similar fashion. Lord, I need only to lift my eyes to heaven to begin my praise to you.

Jesus = God

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Place your faith in the truth of God (1Jhn 5:20,21). #JesusSonOfGod #JesusAutherOfNewLife #KnowingChristMakingHimKnown

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

John’s last words: “We KNOW [by experience] the Son of God has come.“ John and the disciples knew Jesus personally. His readers knew these eye witnesses to Christ. We can know Christ also by their witness. I have myself known the abiding deep love of God in Christ, who is God and reveals God.

I am able to conclude from the veracity of scripture and the change in my life and others that Jesus is truly God; that he is our eternal life. This is in contrast to the false gods of this world. “On Christ the solid rock, I stand. All other ground is sinking sand.“ Lord, my faith rests in the testimony of your word and the witness of Christ.

Love As Christ Loved Us

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION

Love others unconditionally as christ loved (1Jn 3:16,17). #LoveMoreThanWords #LoveUnconditionally #LoveOneAnother #SelfSacrafice

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

As believers, we are not without an example of unconditional love. This word love in the Greek is agápē. It is a self sacrificing love. It is conditioned solely on the one loving, not on how good or bad the recipient of that love may be.

This love will always give out of its own resources, no matter how small or great. that is how Jesus loved. That is how we are love. We love others as Christ loved us. That is often hard work. It takes a surrender and reliance on God’s Holy Spirit. Lord, may I love with the heart of Christ.

Not God’s Children

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION

Know the security of being God‘s child in Christ (1Jn 3:1).

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

I often hear folks (even certain ministers) say, “We’re all God‘s children.“ Are we? Well, NO, we’re not. We’re certainly all God‘s creation. But the familial relation as “God‘s child” is reserved only for those who believe in Jesus (Jhn 1:11-13).

Here, John teaches that the world does not recognize the Christian’s relationship to God as his children. Why? Because they don’t know God. Paul also makes this clear: they are not children of God, they are “children of the flesh” (Rom 8:5–9; 9:8; see also Gal 3:26; 4:6-7). Lord, I am here affirmed in my relationship to God as his child.

Worship The One True God

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION

Worship and exalt Jehovah God alone (Jer 51:16-19). #worshipJehovah-God #NoGodLikeJehovah

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Jeremiah let’s fly a burst of praise to the Lord. This praise informs our understanding of the power, knowledge and creative acts of God. The knowledge of God‘s powerful acts of creation and his preservation of it reaches far back into the ancient world. He is no mere idol.

Men craft idols made up in their own minds. They have no life, no breath and no power. These men are foolish and without understanding. But Jehovah God is the God of all of life and creation. He governs the universe and the affairs of men. Lord, I exalt you as the only one worthy of all of our praise.

God’s Plan For The Nations

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Acknowledge and surrender to God’s will and plan (Jer 27:1–8). #ISurrenderAll #YesGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

God‘s plan for his people was a 70 year exile into Babylon. Babylon was God’s servant in this process. They were conquering all the nations around and including Judah. It is likely that these nations, represented by ambassadors, were in Jerusalem to meet with king Zedekiah (a meeting of the minds) to discuss an overthrow of Babylon.

By God‘s will however, there would be no such plan, enabling his people to escape judgment. God‘s purposes were to lead them into brokenness, repentance and renewed passion to serve him (Jer 29:10-14). Nothing would stand in God‘s way, then or now, of accomplishing those purposes. Lord, I acknowledge your will and surrender my will to you and your plan for me. I acknowledge that you have a plan too, for America. May she listen and surrender.

A Sure Word

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Humbly bow in obedience and allegiance to God‘s word (Jer 36:27-29,32 ) #God’sWordIsEternal #ObeyGod’sWord #God’sWordIsTruth

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

King Jehoiakim did not like what God had to say in Jeremiah‘s scroll of prophecies. He did not want to hear about sin and repentance, or hear about Babylon’s destruction of Judah and Jerusalem. So he burned the scroll containing God‘s word. But God‘s word will stand (Psm 119:89; Mat 24:35).

Men can burn God‘s word, reject it, ignore it and trash it, but they cannot destroy it. God‘s word is indestructible and eternal in the heavens. God‘s word is truth (Jhn 17:17) and it is living (Heb 4:12). It is a sure and certain word. Lord, I do not stand in judgment of your word, it stands in judgment of me.

Truth Confronts

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Hear God’s word and heed God’s word (Jer 36:8-20). #God’sWord #Truth #TurnNowToGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Soon after Jeremiah told Baruch to read the scroll (all the prophetic messages dictated by Jeremiah —v2,4) publicly at the Temple, Baruch complied. God‘s word had its effect. A high official in the Temple, stunned at what he heard, reported to other Temple officials. A private reading in their presence was requested.

Baruch complied with their request. The officials were in a state of alarm at the destruction predicted by Jeremiah. They also would have understood that repentance would avert disaster. Babylon was also closing in on Judah as prophesied in the scrolls. The officials went immediately to report to the King.

Lord, your word will always bring me to a crossroads, a crisis of belief; I must choose to accept or reject.

Song From The Watchtower (Ver 3)

Even nature is awestruck by the mighty Power of God.

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

View God with the honor and respect due him (Hab 3:8–11). #HonorGod #GodsJudgment #GodsDeliverance

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Was God angry when he struck the rivers and parted the sea (references to God‘s judgment on Egypt & deliverance of his people*). The answer is, “No, God was not angry with the seas.“ He was sending judgment on the godless and salvation to his people. So here, God is bringing down judgment on Babylon and will deliver his people from captivity.

God is seen here as brandishing his bow and mighty arrows (symbols of power). The mountains writhe like a woman with birth pangs. The deep (oceans) lift “hands” in awe. The sun and moon stand still before God‘s mighty power. His arrows strike their intended target. His glittering spear flashes before him.

One thing is clear. God’s might and power is clearly unmatched by any other power, even the mighty forces of nature. When God moves in deliverance or judgment he does so with great force and power. Lord, I acknowledge your mighty power to judge to deliver.

_____________

* Nile River (Exo 7:20,21); Red Sea (Exo 14:21-28); Jordan River (Jos 3:14-17).

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.

God’s Infinite Vision

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Place your faith in the eternal wisdom and plans of God (Hab 1:6). #InfinitVision #PlanOfTheAges #GodIsSovereign

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Here is the vision that will astound, even terrify, Habakkuk and the people of God (v5). God has been infinitely at work to raise up a nation (a pagan, gentile nation), Babylon, to rain down judgment on Judah. Habakkuk, in his short life and span of prophetic call, is just arriving to where God has been for generations.

God has been long suffering, not willing that any should perish. God is ready to curb his judgment at the first sign of repentance. But now the time has come (2Pe 3:9,10). Habakkuk will be one of the last trumpet calls to repent. God was right. Habakkuk could not believe it (vv12,13). God is eternally at work in the affairs of men (Job 12:21-24). Lord, I may fully trust in your infinite plan for the nations, for my good and your glory.

ECLIPSISM

Eclipism:

Psalm 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”

Focus on the wonder of God’s power in creation and the complexities of his created universe.

Is it a sign? Yes & Maybe. Watch and wait. Be dressed in readiness.

Fighting God; Bad Idea

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Do not delay to repent and follow God (Jer 21:8-14). #Repent #TurnNowToGod #ChooseLifeChooseGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

[For whatever reason Chs 21 & 22 are out of sequence. These chapters contain prophecies of the last four kings of Judah. I insert them as a matter of cohesive devotional understanding. This is not a critical analysis, but the best of my understanding in my study]

Jeremiah continues his message to the unrepentant King Zedekiah. There is no way out of the judgment of God for the sin of he and his people. God says, “If you stay and fight the Babylonians, you will die. Surrender and live; that will be your reward.”* God will not put up with sinful disobedience indefinitely (Gen 6:3).

Still, to repent and do good remains an option. Change, do justice to the people, help the oppressed. The king must change, lead the nation to change. God warns again, “I will personally fight against you…punish you for your sinfulness. I will light the fire of judgment.“ Lord, my best options are always to reverence you, humbly repent and seek your face.

______

* God spoke similar words to me on December 28, 1968, in a guard tower over the Saigon River, “You must make a choice. You can of go home in a body bag or you can repent and go home serving me. The choice is yours and the time is now.” I could no longer continue to make a mockery of the faith. I could no longer live with one foot in the Faith and one foot in the world. I could no longer serve two masters. I chose the later, and I never looked back.“

https://theprayersentry.com/2023/03/23/window-of-opportunity/

Get Self Out Of The Way

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

America (even I myself) needs to rid its heart of indifference towards God (Jer 18:12-16). #RepentNow #TurnNowToGod

“You would turn away from God, your provider?

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

God’s people express their resolve to continue in their wicked ways (v12). It makes no sense. God’s people have known his goodness to them, yet they turn their backs on him. Even the godless pagan can see the foolishness of such a response. It is seen as appalling, ghastly, even to them.

The response is in opposition even to the natural world. The snow in the mountains continually flows to the valley below (pictures God’s goodness). Rivers of living water flow from the “Rock,” also pictures God as the source of all goodness. Astonishingly God’s people opt for the waters of another (worthless gods). They cause their own stumbling off the true path that leads to God.

Lord, in light of all your goodness to me (to America) I (we) need to get out of my (our) own way and turn you.

_____

This old hymn says it well:

Come, thou Fount of every blessing;
tune my heart to sing thy grace;
streams of mercy, never ceasing,
call for songs of loudest praise.

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
prone to leave the God I love;
here’s my heart; O take and seal it;
seal it for thy courts above.

Teach me some melodious sonnet,
sung by flaming tongues above;
praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,
mount of God’s unchanging love!

Tapping God’s Aquifer

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

May you be rooted deep into the life-giving springs of God (Jer 17:5–8). #EternalSprings #LivingWater #TrustInGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Listen to what God has to say. It is simple: if you are trusting in human strength, turning hearts away from God, you have no hope for the future. Not only that, but your life will be barren of fruit. Your life will be like a dried out uninhabited wilderness.

But if you turn your heart to God and trust in his strength, you will be filled with hope and confidence for the future. Your life will abound with fruit. Any drought will be short-lived, because your roots go down deep into God’s aquifer of sustaining power and life. Lord, may my life sink deeply into the pure spring of the life sustaining power of God.

Every “ONE” Praise God

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Call upon your “ONE” whole heart to speak praises to God (Psm 103:19-22). #EveryOneGivePraiseToGod #LetPraisesRing

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The Psalmist closes this Psalm with a reference to all the hosts of heaven. They stand ready to carry out God’s every command from his throne over heaven and earth. They symbolize God‘s rule from the heavenlies. Everything God has created gives mighty praises to him.

Remember all God has done for you (vv2-6); remember his love and tender mercies to you (vv7–12); revere, honor and obey God – this brings praise to God (vv13-18); do his will (v21). The Psalmist ends as he started. So also, my heart follows suit: “Let all that I am praise the Lord“ (v1).* Lord, I offer my “ONE” whole being in praise to you for all your gracious benefits to me.

* See Psm 103:1,2; Awaken Thanks Giving, Nov 16, 2023, this blog.

Unbridled Compassion

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Trust the unfailing, limitless love and forgiveness of God (Psm 103:11-18). #UnfailingLoveAndForgiveness #UnbridledCompassion

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Speaking of the fear of God, the Psalmist gives us a window into the nature of God’s character. He is more like a loving, compassionate father than a cruel uncaring tyrant (v10). God’s unfailing love (unbridled compassion) has no limits. He is able to discern between the sin and the person. Fear in this sense is to revere, honor, and respect God as one would a father.

God also knows our weakness as compared to his vast power. To be a compassionate dad is to know the limits of one’s power. Unbridled power is hurtful, not helpful. God bridles his Justice (v10). He unbridles his compassion. So, we are able to honor and obey without limits. Lord, you are gracious and compassionate towards me, your oft disobedient child.

Crowned

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Humbly receive God’s crown of love and tender mercies (Psm 103:4) #CrownOfLoveAndMercy

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

I am crowned, not with a crown of gold or precious jewels. It is far greater than that. It is a crown woven together with God’s love and tender mercies. That is what God has crowned me with – unconditional love and tender benevolent affection.

God crowns me – he lifts me above all my challenges, my sin, my suffering, my circumstances. God crowns me with life eternal. There is no crown like the crown of God’s love and tender mercies. Lord, I am humbled and strengthened by your love and tender mercies.

Can’t Thank God?

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Forget not God’s tender mercies towards you (Psm 103:3-4). #God’sTenderMercies #GiveThanksToGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The Psalmist is intentional about giving thanks for God‘s goodness (we really have very little to complain about). Can’t thank God? Start here. Start with thanks for God’s forgiveness of all your sin by his pardoning mercy (how we long to be excused for the errors we make).

Thank God for his tender mercies, attending to all of our inward and outward sufferings (how we long for a comforting touch or word in the midst of misery).

Thank God for delivering us from the pit of guilt, distress, and death itself (how we long for a loving hand to reach out and snatch us from the rim of despair).

Lord, how I thank you for all your tender mercies towards me.

Two Pleasing Sacrifices

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Offer the sacrifices of praise & kindness at every opportunity (Heb 13:15,16). #GivePraiseToGod #DoActsOfKindness #LivingSacrifices

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

After 13 chapters (the whole book of Hebrews) pointing to the supreme sacrifice of Christ, the writer has carefully and thoroughly extinguishing the flame of daily, weekly and annual offerings of animal sacrifices for sin. But, the writer reserves two sacrifices that are still pleasing to God.

What sacrifices could still be pleasing to god?

1) The sacrifice of praise offered from our lips, confessing Christ as Lord; and

2) the sacrifice of a kind and loving actions towards others. With these two sacred actions (offerings) “God is well pleased (Psm 50:12-14; Rom 12:1; 1Pe 2:5).

Lord, bring my heart to every opportunity with words of praise to you, and acts of kindness towards others..

At Home in the City of God

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION:

Anticipate your eternal home in the City of God (Heb 13:14). #AtHomeWithChrist #ThisWorldIsNotMyHome

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

This Jesus, in whom we put our trust, is no mirage, no flash in the pan. He is the royal Son of God. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is the royal head of state in the kingdom to come. He rules an eternal City to come, a city he has prepared for those who follow him. (11:10,16). It is the City in which God dwells (Psm 46:4-7). That is our eternal home.

The Apostle John saw this City, made ready to receive its real residents (Rev 21:2). We (followers of Christ) do not abide in this world. We look ahead to a home in the city to come. That is our security in Christ. This whole world will pass away (12:27; Psm 102:25,26); but you oh Lord, perish not. Neither shall we, nor the home, nor the city you have prepared for us.

Lord, this aged sentry is looking forward to his eternal home with Christ in that City where God dwells.

Scorched Earth

Praying for Family, Friends, Church and Nation:

Walk in awe and reverence for a holy God (Heb 12:28,29). #ScorchedEarth #Judgment

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Some have spoken of a “scorched earth“ military policy, or they speak from an environmental point of view. But we have seen nothing like a scorched earth that God, who is a “consuming fire,“ will bring against a godless humanity.

When Christ returns, all of creation (the heavens, the earth and sea) will be done away (Isa 51:5,6; Psm 102:25-28; Heb 1:10-12). This world is not eternal. It will be consumed by the righteous fire of God. The godless will not survive. Only those who have put their faith in Christ will survive (note: Isa 33:1–24; especially vv 14,15). Lord, I dare not ignore the consuming righteous nature of God in my life.

Passover: Faith’s Tribute

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION

Celebrate deliverance from death and the promise of eternal life (Heb 11:28). #GodDeliversLifeEternal #Passover #Lord’sSupper #Deliverance

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The writer here describes a fourth act of faith in the life of Moses. When preparing to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt, Moses instituted the Passover with a view towards the regular celebration of Israel’s deliverance from the bondage of Egypt. He fully expected to be celebrating deliverance long into the future as a tribute to God’s promises (Exo 12:21-30)

Faith saved Moses at birth (v23). Faith called Moses away from the pleasures of his world (vv24–26). Faith led him to follow God into a personal wilderness journey (v27). Faith lead him to institute an act that would forever stand as a tribute to God‘s hand of deliverance (v28). Lord, by faith I celebrate my deliverance from sin and death to life eternal (the Lord’s Supper is my faith tribute to that).

Total Access

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND NATION:

Trust the magnificent work of Christ for access to God (Heb 10:21,22). #TotalAccess #NoBarriers #PardonFromSin

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Jesus, our High Priest, is not the “rule keeper“. He is the one who “rules over the house of God.“ He is the one who has introduced grace and mercy into the house of God. This is the basis of man’s ability to enter into God‘s presence.

Christ offers cleansing from sin, clearing the way for a pure heart to come before God. Further, men may come with their consciences cleared of guilt by Christ’s very own blood sacrifice. Men may be, once and for all, pardoned from all sin and made fit to enter into a relationship with God.

Lord, you have removed every barrier to my eternal access to holiness.

Open Door To God

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND NATION:

Enter into an intimate personal walk and relationship with God (Heb 10:19,20). #OpenDoorToGod #EnterIntoGod’sPresence

Christ’s body torn, opens the way for us

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The author of Hebrews is rounding the last turn and is making a sprint for the finish line in his long discussion of Christ, the superior sacrifice for sin (Chs 8–10). All that has been said in these chapters find their conclusion in these last few verses (vv19–39). “And so, dear brothers and sisters…“

Jesus has, by his own blood sacrifice cleared the way, opened the door, pioneered the trail for us, into the Most Holy Place, the very presence of God. Having done so, he turns and beckons us to follow him into that Most Holy Place. Follow him into that personal relationship with God. The invitation is to every man and woman, to enter into that intimate relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; into fellowship with God.

O Lord, it is personal for me. I am all in. I feel the warm embrace of that most Holy relationship.

Blessed Forgetfulness

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND NATION:

Lean into God‘s heart of forgetfulness of sin (Hebrews 10:15–18). #God’sSeaOfForgetfulness #NomoreRemembranceOfSin

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit all give witness to the New (and amazing) Covenant. When man invites Christ into his life, love for obedience to God’s will flows like water from an eternal spring. Man’s mind may now freely choose to do God‘s will.

Sins are forgiven and God, in his “blessed forgetfulness,“ deliberately chooses to remember man’s sin no more. As a result there is no more need to offer a single additional sacrifice. Jesus has forever canceled the debt of our sin. Lord, it is hard to grasp the depth of what this means, but we know we are redeemed and certain of our future.

100% Accepted

PRAYER FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CURUCH AND NATION

100% Receive the 100% promise of sin forgiven & remembered no more (Heb 10:1-4). #100%ForgivenAccepted

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

God had a purpose in the use of animals sacrificed in the confession of sin. It was to remind men of his mercy, grace and love for his people (Psm103:8-12). But instead the repeated sacrifices became a morbid ritual and reminder of how wicked was/is the heart of man. The people felt alienated from rather than accepted by God. Their sacrifices became a means to buy their forgiveness.

It is the same today – except that the sacrifice of Christ has been made once and for all time. Our sin Is washed away and the sinner is cleansed from all unrighteousness. Sin is forgiven and remembered no more. It is the enemy (Satan) who wishes to dredge up all our old sin and bring condemnation (Zech 3:2,3; Jhn 10:10). But “there is now therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:1).

Lord, you have accepted me 100%; my sin is forgiven and remembered I more.

Symbols of Faith – High Priest (8 of 8)

Eternal redemption for man was foreshadowed, pictured, in the Old Testament system of worship and furnishings placed in the Jewish tabernacle built by Moses. In the tabernacle there stood artifacts (furnishings). These furnishings were utilized and maintained by the high priest. All of these foreshadowed (symbolized) the coming eternal redemption of man, ushered in by Jesus Christ. He has become the high priest of our faith, of that better covenant named in Hebrews 7:12; 8:6 and Jeremiah 31:31-34.

These journal notes in no way exhaust the depth of meaning found in the Tabernacle. The writer of Hebrews does not even go into the depth of the possible meaning of all these things. My heart here is to uncover as much as possible in a few words, as might stimulate further inquiry and greater depth of faith.

#8 The High Priest

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION

Offer your life in service to Christ for his atoning sacrifice for us (Heb 9:6-15). #JesusOurAtonmentForSin

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The last symbol to speak of in the Tabernacle is the priesthood and the High Priest. It was required of the priests to tend to every facet of the Tabernacle. Every part of it is a reflection of Jesus Christ. It all points to sin, judgment, sacrifice and salvation.

In the New Covenant Jesus Christ is our eternal High Priest. He has offered his own blood as a sacrifice for sin, bearing all the judgment of sin on his back for all humanity. He himself is the sinless one who has atoned for our sin, entered into the holiest place in heaven and is now on his throne as our eternal mediator.

Lord, I am forever grateful for your atoning grace. What more could I offer than my own life in service to you.

Symbols of Faith – Ark of The Covenant (7 of 8)

#7 The Ark of Covenant & Mercy Seat (Prt 1)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION

Humbly acknowledge God’s invitation to speak directly with him (Heb 9:4–11). #GodSpeaksWithMan #ApproachGodHumbly

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Behind the veil to the Holy of Holies rested the Ark of the Covenant & Mercy Seat (Exo 25:10–22). This was the last piece of furniture in the Tabernacle and it was the most sacred object in the Tabernacle.

The Ark was made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold. In it was the Law of God (10 Commandments) carved on two stone tablets. It represented God‘s holiness. There was also a golden jar with manna in it. It represented God‘s provision for his people in the wilderness. Finally it contained Aaron’s staff upon which blossoms grew (a dead stick that bore fruit). This rod represented God’s authority given to man.

Taken all together the Ark represented God‘s presence, the place where God meets and speaks with man. Lord, I am humbled at the privilege of coming into your presence to speak with you.

Symbols of Faith – The Veil (6 of 8)

#6 THE VEIL (Prt 1)

Three Veils, Three Doorways
Into God’s Presence

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION

Understand, appreciate what Jesus has done to open the door to a relationship with God (Heb 9:3). #WayTruthLife #JesusIsTheDoorToLife

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Three curtains (veils) are represented in the Tabernacle. Taken together, they all represent separation between God and man. There was only one entrance (gate or door) through each veil.

There was one door from outside the Tabernacle into the “Outer Court,” another from the Outer Court into the “Holy Place“ and a third from the Holy Place into the “Holy Holies.“ These doors represent Jesus who is the door to Salvation, the way of salvation (John 10: 7–11). Jesus has opened the way to intimate fellowship with God.

Lord, thank you for the sacrifice you made that I might experience a face to face relationship with Jehovah God.