Taking Full Credit

(Jer 31:29,30)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Take full responsibility for your sin; repent (Jer 31:29-30) #Repent #TurnNowToGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

I cannot pass off God‘s righteous judgment as unjust; that someone else’s sin is somehow to blame for my foolish disregard for God. God had brought judgment against Judah. She was paying the price for her sin, not the sin of her ancestors.

Sin does have the far reaching consequences. But I am never the target of righteous judgment because of someone else’s sin. I am responsible for my thoughts, my words and my actions before God. Lord, may I not ignore your righteous judgment in my life.

A Just Mercy

(Jer 31:23-28)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May you live long in God’s goodness and mercy (Jer 31:23-28). #GodIsGood #GodIsMerciful #AJustMercy

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

When God disciplines his people, his intent is restoration and reconciliation. Israel and Judah will be restored, their fortunes restored, their land repopulated, and God will meet their every need. A new relationship between God and his children will be established. Nothing will be the same for them.

What follows next will be a discussion of this New Covenant. But for me right now, I am reminded of all the good that God has returned to me in the day of my visitation from God. His goodness and mercy have no end. Lord, may I live daily I. Your goodness and mercy

No Turning Back

(Jer 31:15-22)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Trust that a God will do all he says he will on your behalf (Jer 31:16-22). #TrustGod #SurrenderToGod #FollowGodAlone #NoTurningBack

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

I have lived the words of this passage. [if you have not read this passage, I beg you to read it carefully]

The Lord had brought severe discipline in my life. I had turned from the God of my childhood. I had foolishly taken a path that led to shame and dishonor.

I was now “exiled” ten thousand miles away from home and all that was familiar to me. I was in the war torn land of Vietnam and God showed up in my guard tower over the Saigon River.

It was December 28, 1968. While I was standing watch God began to break my heart for the life I’d been living, the sins I’d committed. I knew things had to change. In my brokenness, I was repentant. I pleaded for God to turn my heart back to him and restore me.

God said, “You’re still my son. I have loved you with an everlasting love. I have repeatedly disciplined you, but you have ignored me. I still love you. I will have mercy on you. But you must choose here and now who you will serve and wander no longer. I am going to do a new thing in your life. But this is your last call.“ He said a few other things to me as well.

I surrendered fully to God in the morning watch. The pathway back to God was well marked. I never wandered again from following him. He has been my faithful Savior and friend. He has been faithful to his promise.

Lord, many decades have passed since that night in 1968. I’ve never forgotten our conversation. Though I deserve nothing, you have done and continue to do incredible new things in and through me. I am eternally grateful to you Lord.

__________

You can find an expanded version of my testimony on this blog: https://theprayersentry.com/2023/03/23/window-of-opportunity/

The Pain of Sin

(Jer 31:15)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Remain truly open to repentance for sin (Jer 31:15). #Repent #TurnNowToGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

My study reveals that “Rachel”, Jacob’s wife, was symbolic of the northern tribes of Israel. Because of Israel’s deep and dark sin, Israel was taken captive by the Assyrians. “Ramah“ was a staging area for deportation of the Hebrew captives (Jer 40:1). Further, very many of Rachel‘s offspring populated Ramah. And Rachel was buried in Ramah.

Rachel would have wept bitterly at the sin of Israel and the ultimate demise of her children. This verse is quoted (Mat 2:18) to describe a similar anguish of mothers in the town of Bethlehem. King Herod slaughtered all the male Jewish children under the age of two in a crazed attempt to destroy Jesus.

Lord, may my heart be broken daily at the high cost and consequences of sin.

Reaping A Whirlwind

(Jer 30:23,24; 3:1)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May our actions reap honor and not judgment (Jer 30:23,24 & 31:1). #ComeCleanWithGod #RepentTowardsGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Jeremiah posts this brief reminder that God‘s judgment will be like a driving whirlwind on the heads of the wicked. It will not stop until God has finished what he planned. Eventually, all will thoroughly understand God‘s actions and intentions.

Nevertheless, Israel, well once again lay claim to honor towards Jehovah God, and he will lay claim to them. Reconciliation and restoration will be the end result. Israel will once again flourish. Lord, may my actions reap honor and not a whirlwind of judgment.

“The Lady Doth Protest!”

(Jer 30:15)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May we have the courage to admit our sin and change (Jer 30:15). #ComeCleanWithGod #RepentTowardsGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

“The lady doth protest too much!” This famous line Is from the Shakespearean play Hamlet is spoken by a nefarious queen. The meaning of the line revolves around the idea that someone who denies something vehemently, most certainly must be hiding the truth.

For Judah’s protest, it means that she too is hiding the truth. But God knows very well the truth. And so God’s discipline is exact for her crimes.

She should have been asking [I should be asking], “How can I profit from my mistakes?“ I Come clean with the truth, honor God, repent and change.

Lord, may I have the courage to admit my sin and change my way.

The Aide, Our Aid

(Jer 30:12-17)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Seek God‘s aid for spiritual healing, (Jer 30:12-17). #TrustGod’sPlan #Prophecy #God’sCorrection #HolyDiscipline #SpiritualAid

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Israel (Judah) would be deeply wounded with no apparent aid or healing in sight. This is the result of her great sin and rebellion against God. Neither would any ally come to her aide. But in due time, God would aide Israel; devour and strike all of her enemies, sending them Into exile.

Israel‘s demise would be reversed and her wounded condition, which seemed hopeless, would be given treatment, aid and healing.

Though God himself inflicts wounds of discipline, He will also be the source of healing and restoration. Lord, thank you for your long-suffering with this old sentry.

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.

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.

A Story of God’s Grace and My Rebellion

If you’re interested in hearing my story, this video captures it. Its 30 minutes in length. Nothing I have ever done is as worthy of reliving as what God did in my life in 1968 (almost 60 years ago).

https://theprayersentry.com/a-work-of-god-story-my-rebellion-gods-grace/

Time’s Up!

(Ezk 24:10-14)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Repent and return to God while there is still time (‭‭Ezk‬ ‭24:10-14). #Repent #TurnNowToGod #Time’sUp

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The people of God’s own choosing (corrupt & rebellious) will experience the fires of his judgment. The city of Jerusalem itself (the “iron pot”) will also know the white hot fires of judgment and cleansing.

God had given his people every opportunity for cleansing and renewal, but they resisted. God’s mercy prolongs his judgment. But times of judgment for unrepented sin will come (2 Peter 3:8-10ff). If America resists God’s call to repent and return to him, she too will know God’s judgment.

Lord, I am reminded of my need to repent and turn to you at every opportunity.

A Long Way Gone

(Ezk 24:7-10)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Will you plead for revival & awakening (‭‭Ezk‬ ‭24:7-10)? #Repent #TurnNowToGod #revival #Awakening

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

This passage points back to 22:1-16). I am rereading that passage. It is nauseating to read this description of sin and depravity among God’s people. The reference to blood spilt on the rocks and not the sand or ground reveals that there is not even a hint of covering up their depravity. They are a long way gone.*

So it will be that God‘s judgment will be just as clearly seen by all men. God‘s wrath on unrepentant sin is now a full-blown fire, consuming those who felt they were so safe. Oh Lord, my heart, my heart, is so prone to wander a long way. Lord, my soul aches for revival, renewal and awakening.

__________

* Red Steagall sings A Long Way From Montana; song about a Texas cowboy who lost his innocence out on the trail.

A long way it is from Montana

To west Texas whether by hoof or by rail

To innocence lost somewhere out on

The trail

And my heart is lonesome and longing

my heart hears a boyhood hymn calling

From a church down the valley comes this

Old refrain

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling..come home, come home.

YES, IT CAN BE A LONG WAY FROM WHERE WE HAVE FALLEN. BUT NOT AS FAR AS FROM OUR KNEES TO THE GROUND.

Take It To The Bank

(Ezk 24:1,2)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Have faith in the teachings and prophecies of God‘s word (‭‭Ezk‬ ‭24:1,2). #God’sWordIsTrue

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

King Zedekiah took the final steps of geo-political rebellion and sealed Jerusalem‘s fate (2Ki 25:1-7). He broke his vows to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and foolishly rebelled. All the prophecies of Jeremiah and Ezekiel were now in play. The siege, destruction and demise of Jerusalem was underway.

Amazingly, Ezekiel is informed of this the very day of the attack, January 15, 588 BC. Ezekiel, hundreds of miles away, is notified of the attack by God himself. God makes it a point for Ezekiel to write it down. Take it to the bank, the third and final attack of Babylon will end the earthly reign of the southern kingdom of Judah. Ezekiel, Jeremiah and other prophets had predicted this.

Lord, these writings and prophecies, which all came true, gives me every reason to believe in the teachings and prophecies (yet to unfold) of God‘s word.

The Righteous & The Mob

(Ezk 23:45-49)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Name no other righteousness than Christ alone (‭‭Ezk‬ ‭23:45-49). #TurnNowToGod #Repent #FalseWorship #PrayForAmerica #Idols #Idolatry #Judgment

Godless Hordes Destroy
Jerusalem (586 BC)

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

How shall these rebellious people of God be judged? ANS: by the righteous (v45,49) and the mob [hordes; armies] (vv 46-49). The “righteous“ are likely the prophets of old, functioning as “elders“ (eg. Deu 21:18-21). “Death by stoning” mentioned in v47 was the usual penalty for adultery (Lev 20:10,27).

The “mob“ mentioned here are the godless hordes of “carousing enemies of the wilderness” (v42) with whom these two twisted sisters had committed spiritual adultery (forging alliances and worshiping their pagan gods). Lest the godless expect mercy, Ezekiel closes with a dyer warning (v48).

Lord, dare I claim any righteousness of my own? But Jesus alone is my righteousness. (Psm 24:3-6).

The Party’s Over

(Ezk 24:3-6)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Avoid defiance, open rebellion, against God (‭‭Ezk‬ ‭24:3-6). #Repent #TurnNowToGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

An iron cooking pot comes into view for the second time (note Ezekiel 11:2-12). Those still in Jerusalem after Babylon‘s first exile of God‘s people considered themselves the spiritual elite. They thought of themselves as “meat in an iron pot” (Jerusalem), safe and untouchable.

But here, the “SAFE“ city of Jerusalem (iron pot) will no longer be a refuge. A raging fire will be set under her and destroy these “elite“ rebels within her. Everyone in Jerusalem was corrupt. This spelled apocalyptic doom in God‘s closing judgment.

Lord, in your mercy and wisdom, you will not allow this old warrior to continue in any unrepentant sin.*

_________

* “First John 5:16 puts forward the biblical concept of a sin leading to death. This is seen in Acts 5:1–10 and 1Co 11:30). The “sin unto death” is willful, continuous, unrepentant sin.

There comes a point when God can no longer allow a believer to continue in unrepentant sin. He may decide to take the life of the stubbornly sinful believer. The “death” is physical death not a spiritual one.

[My interpretation of this is that God would rather have the rebellious believer in heaven in his/her worst condition than to allow that one to go on bringing disrepute on the kingdom of God]

Further reading on this topic: https://www.gotquestions.org/sin-unto-death.html

Are You Tear Resistant?

(Ezk 23:35)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Resist anything that sets God aside and captures your heart’s devotion, (‭‭Ezk‬ ‭23:35). #TurnNowToGod #Repent #FalseWorship #PrayForAmerica #Idols #Idolatry

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Ezekiel 23:22–34 predicts the third and final wave of destruction of Jerusalem. Judah will cease to exist as a nation (586 BC). Verse 35 explains again the reason for Jerusalem‘s judgment. She had put God behind her in favor of foreign pagan idols.*

Bringing this home to me, it reveals my propensity towards other gods: money, possessions, self-achievement, entertainment, sex, technology, power, food, idolized relationships, comfort, political ideology; just to name a few.

Lord, may I be resist things that tear me away from you, capturing my heart’s trust, love and devotion.

__________

* Deuteronomy chapters 13 & 28:49-68 had warned God’s people against this centuries earlier .

God, Jealous?

(Ezk 23:25)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May our hearts burn hot & unapologetically against sin (‭‭Ezk‬ ‭23:25). #TurnNowToGod #Repent #SpeakTheTruth #StandAgainstSin #PrayForAmerica

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Ezekiel 23:22-34 is a repetition of God‘s judgment on Judah. She followed the same detestable path as Israel. But verse 25 reveals God‘s state of mind – “JEALOUS”.

Years ago I heard a preacher say, “Some say the God of the Old Testament is a God of wrath; the God of the New Testament is a God of love. Not so,” he said. “He is always a God of love provoked by his adulteress people to jealousy.“ [read Exodus 20:5,6]

The question for me is, do I identify with God over sin (does it break my heart?) or am I just comfortable with sin all around me? Lord, may I have a heart that burns for righteousness.

Twisted Sisters (Pt2): Righteous Beware

(Ezk 23:11-21)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

WALK consistently in CLOSE harmony with God (‭‭Ezk‬ ‭23:11-21). #TurnNowToGod #Repent #LetTheRighteousBeware

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Ezekiel does not paint a pretty picture of Judah (the younger sister in this parable). It is downright lude. Even though Judah saw the depravity and destruction of Israel (older sister), she dove deeply into even greater idolatry with even more lust than her “sister”.

Her alliance with Assyria brought severe spiritual degradation. Other alliances with Babylon and Egypt further degraded her. God, in his extreme disgust at her depravity, turned away from her, rejected her. The imagery is unimaginable. May the righteous beware. I know that on any given day, I may be just as vulnerable to a fall.

Lord, may there never be any daylight in the relationship between you and me.

Twisted Sisters (Pt1)

(Ezk 23:5-10)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May we seek God while we still may (‭‭Ezk‬ ‭23:5-10). #TurnNowToGod #Repent #AmericaRepent

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

In the parable of the two sisters, Ohola, the older (representing the northern Kingdom of Israel) went whoring after the Assyrian might in an alliance. In her twisted thinking, Israel left her dependence on Jehovah God for victory and prosperity to unite with the godless Assyrians.

Israel also served/worshiped Assyrian gods. She traded the truth for a twisted lie. God abandon her to her sin filled ways (as in Rom 1:24-26). Israel was stripped of her national identity and found herself in rubbles.* Lord, may I seek you while the seeking is still possible (Isa 55:6,7).

_________

* Hosea also condemned Israel for her adulterous ways and prophesied her downfall: Hosea 5:8-15; 7:11,12 & 8:8-10.

A Disloyal Passion

(Ezk 23:1-4)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Turn your heart’s love/loyalty to God alone (‭‭Ezk‬ ‭23:1-4). #TurnNowToGod #Repent

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

This is the second of three oracles by Ezekiel. It is spoken by God as a parable. It regards to two sisters, both of whom had gone the way of prostitution in Egypt. The one named Ahola (the older), represented Samaria (capital citi of the northern kingdom, Israel). The second named Ohlibah, represented Jerusalem (capital city of the southern kingdom, Judah).

The two sisters’ Origen: their story begins in Egypt, the place from which God delivered them (his people) out of slavery. These two sisters showed their unfaithful and ungrateful heart towards God by their disloyal passion for idolatry.* Lord, reveal any idolatrous, adulterous way in me, that I may turn from it in loyal love to you.

_____

* For a full explanation of the disloyal idolatry of these two sisters (God’s people) in Egypt, read Ezekiel 20.

Collateral Damage

(Psm 38:9-11)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Stay alert to the effects of unconfessed sin (Psm 38:9-12). #UnconfessedSin

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

I see the effects of unconfessed sin on me personally (vv1-8). But I do not exist in a vacuum. The effects of my unconfessed sin radiates out. Collateral Damage: First, my sin is always open to the Lord. My broken condition (spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically) is laid bare before God.

Second, my condition will eventually cause friends and family to avoid me. Unconfessed sin is like a disease. No one wants what I’ve got.

Finally, my enemies, which includes Satan, will use my condition to torment and accuse me. Satan and all his minions would ruin me if they could.

Wish I could say, “It ain’t so.“ But, unfortunately it is. So, I need to ruminate on the collateral damage of my unconfessed sin. I long for something better. Lord, may it be so.

SIGNS

(Psm 38:1-8)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Pay attention to SIGNS of unconfessed sin (Psm 38:1-8). #UnconfessedSin #SourcesOfPain

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The psalmist here acknowledges his sin up front. He owns it. But he also seeks mercy from God. Sin has caused the psalmist much physical sickness. His guilt/shame is an emotional burden. He regards his sin as foolish. It has caused him physical and emotional pain and grief. It has manifested itself in SIGNS of fever, ill-health, and distress of soul.

Not every health problem is caused by sin. But when I violate God‘s moral code and persist in hiding it, it may be accompanied by SIGNS of anxiety, depression, and isolation as a result. Confessing sin and clearing the conscience will lead to peace with God and man. These are facts that have been proven across many cultures.

Lord, may I be alert of any physical SIGNS revealing unconfessed sin in my life.

Willing Surrender

(Psm 32:9-11)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Willingly surrender to God‘s direction (Psm 32:9-11). #WillingSurrender #FollowTheLord #ListenToGod

Verse eight promises guidance from the Lord. Here is some of that guidance. Don’t be unwilling or too stubborn to be tamed or moved by God towards a willing spirit.

The horse and the mule can be ornery by nature, brought under control only by brute force or fear. But man Should not be the same. He can reason and has a conscience. Men are not meant to be governed in such a corporeal manner.

“Men should allow themselves to be controlled by appeals [from God] to their moral conscience. Man is of a higher [moral] nature and should allow themselves to be governed by it.“*

Lord, may I willingly surrender to God’s leadership & direction

_________

* Barnes Notes on the Old Testament, Pg. 276.

The Best Joy

(Psm 32:1-5)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Confess your sin; know the joy of forgiveness (Psm 32:1-5). #GoodConscience #ConfessSin #RepentTowardsGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

When I sin egregiously against another I hope to be forgiven. Yet even that forgiveness may not relieve the guilt I feel, or remove the sin from the mind of the offended. BUT God…forgives my sin, he puts it out of his sight and memory and he clears my conscience of all guilt.

When I refuse to confess* my sin, it weighs me down. It turns against me – consequences/discipline will break me down and sap my strength. When I confess* my sin and expose my guilt, God is faithful to forgive, forget and free me of all guilt (see also Rom 4:4-8; 1Jn 1:9,10). I am able to face the truth and any lingering consequences of sin.

Lord, may my heart confess sin and know the joy of forgiveness.

______

* To confess sin is to agree with God about my rebellion against him.

I Surrender

(Psm 25:1)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Surrender all to Christ today (Psm 25:1). #ISurrenderAll #JesusIsLord

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

“Oh Lord, I give my life to you.“ These words impact my heart like the bat that strikes a home-run ball out of the park. December 28, 1968, a young 21 year-old recruit, standing sentry in a guard tower over the Saigon River, surrendered to God. *

After many years of running from God, this, now 80-year-old sentry, laid down his weapons of this world and surrendered his life to the Lordship of Christ. I never looked back; been serving Christ now these 58 years. I would not change anything.

Lord, thank you for relentlessly pursuing this old sentry, then persistently leading me.

__________

Read full testimony this blog: https://theprayersentry.com/2023/03/23/window-of-opportunity/

Defiant & Undone

(Ezekiel 22:23-29)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Neither harbor nor justify sin in your life (Ezk22:23-29). #God’sDiscipline #RepentTowardsGod #TurnNowToGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

God addresses the leaders and people of Judah, Jerusalem: royalty (Kings and princes), priests (spiritual guides), leaders (in the community), prophets (self-proclaimed) and the common people (neighbors).

All of them extort wealth, conspire against innocent people; they violate all that is holy and disregard God‘s laws; they prey upon people for financial gain, leaving victims in shambles;

they lie saying they have messages of ease from God; the people do as their leaders and prey on one another, murder, oppress, rob and act unjustly towards strangers.

Lord, may there be no spirit of justification for any sin in my life – may God be true and every man a liar (Rom 3:1-4).*

_________

* See Romans Chapter 3 on Paul’s core message: it underscores man’s sin and God’s justice and mercy in his plan to redeem man from sin.

Refined By Fire

(Ezekiel 22:17-22)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Rest assured of God’s redemptive purposes in his refining fires (Ezk 22:17-22). #RefinersFire #God’sDiscipline

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

God calls his rebellious people “worthless slag.“ Slag [dregs, refuse, scum, dross, trash, sinter, scoria, impurity, recrement], the waste left over after refinement, discarded as useless. Not at all flattering words. Israel‘s national life had fallen to its lowest point morally, ethically and spiritually.

God‘s fury is here described as a refiner’s fire. When the slag (sinful condition) has been melted off in extreme heat (God’s discipline), all that will be left is what is precious and valuable to God. That is the purpose of God‘s refining fire. He will separate, redeem, what is precious from the worthless (Jer 15:19-21; Mal‬ ‭3‬:‭2‬-‭4‬; Amo 9:9,10).

Lord, your discipline may last for a moment but produces the fruit of righteousness (Psm 30:5; Heb 12:10, 11).

Risk Reward

(Ezekiel 22:1-16)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May you look to God, even Jesus, who risked ignobility to redeem a lost people (Ezk 22:1-16). #HeTookTheRisk #RiskReward #Redemption #PurifiedByFire

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The prophet Ezekiel is now called upon to be the prosecuting attorney. He will present the evidence for judgment against God’s people: idolatry, bloodshed, murder, sexual immorality of every detestable kind; oppression of the poor, false accusations, parents dishonored, the Sabbath ignored; racketeering, extortion and hired killers.

Every commandment of God has been broken. It is a list of the most egregious sins possible. Judah has dishonored God to the superlative degree. She had dishonored herself. Her day of reckoning has come. God will scatter and purge his people. Even the pagans would see God forsaking his people. But his purpose is to cleanse and purify his people; redeem a remnant.

Lord, you are willing to risk even your good name (v16) to redeem your people (also Heb12:2).

Song of the Sword (2nd Ver)

(Ezekiel 21:28-32)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May your lips always bring honor to the Lord our God (Ezk 21:28-32). #DoNotMockGod #HonorJehovahGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

God‘s judgment is here turned towards the Ammonites. King Nebuchadnezzar had decided to bypass Ammon (vv 20,22) and destroyJerusalem (both allied against Babylon). The Ammonites thought they had escaped destruction. In their jubilation, they became proud. They mocked Israel’s destruction (25:3,4).

These Ammonites further tried to create other alliances in the region against Babylon (read Jer 40:13-41:10). But nomadic hordes would attack Ammon and destroy her (note Chapter 25). She would not escape God‘s judgment. Any proud people who mock God’s name will be subject to judgment (Psm 59:8; Pro 17:5; Gal 7:5).

Lord, may my heart always honor you and be in alignment with your heart.