A Time For Personal Brokenness

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION

Lord, break my heart for the things that matter to you (Jer 4:19-21). #PersonalBrokenness #Broken

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

I imagine Jeremiah convulsing in great sobs over the coming plight of Judah. His heart is breaking snd his body manifests the movements and gestures of one who is staggering and reeling. He is overwhelmed at the emotional jolt of Judah’s destruction. Through sobs of emotional and spiritual pain he weeps before God, “How long will the destruction last?“

When I understand the lamentation of Jeremiah for the people of God and the destructive consequences of sin, it causes me to question my own compassion for the people of my nation, my community. It causes me to wonder just how deeply the sins of our society, of my own life, burden me.

How troubled am I really for things beyond my small span of personal concerns? I wonder, what must God be thinking about my own responses to the causes and consequences of sin around me; even my own sin. So I ask, “Lord, would you sufficiently break my heart for the things that matter to you. May I make a difference for my world by earnest prayer, a compassionate witness and a life well-lived for you.”

Our Fate, Our Choice

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION

Repent; turn to God and know his saving grace (Jer 4:11–18). #Repent #TurnNowToGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The temporal, remedial, judgment of God is coming upon Judah and Jerusalem. Like a destroying desert wind – dry and hot – her enemies from the north will roar through Judah. Like billowing storm clouds rushing down upon its mark, so the chariots of the enemy will rush in on Judah.

Judah’s fate is however, in her hands. She can repent of her evil ways and be saved or she can continue in her rebellion against God and suffer the penalty of her sins. How shall the people of America (any nation) continue in sin and not suffer the consequences? Lord, turn the heart of my beloved nation back to you. May she know your saving grace.

Time Is Up

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION

Humbly bow in repentance before God while there is still time (Jer 4:5–9) #NoMoreTime #Repent #TurnNowToGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

This is Jeremiah’s straight up warning to Judah that destruction was on its way. Time was out. The coming devastation would make all weep and mourn with broken hearts.

Babylon would fall upon Judah like a fierce lion falls upon its prey. God would withdraw his hand of blessing and protection from Judah. They would feel the full consequence of their sin and unrepentant nature. The king, all the officials, the priests and prophets would look on in horror. For they have ignored God and have themselves deceived the people.

America is not Judah of old. But her unrepentant nature mirrors that of Judah. She will pay the price for her sin. Even now she is reeling economically. Her social fabric is being ripped to shreds. Her borders are broken. Her enemies are licking their chops. Her leaders deceive us and explain away her woes. The voices of those in ministry are largely silent.

Lord, may the watchmen blow the trumpets of warning. May the hearts of this beloved nation be broken for sin. May she turn now to the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

Bad Habits, Hidden Sin

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION

Remain open to the plow of God’s Word (Jer 3:3,4). #PlowUpTheFallowGround #SurrenderYourPrideAndStrength

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Jeremiah is sending a clear message of warning to Judah and it’s capital city, Jerusalem. Bad habits and hidden sin has hardened their hearts. Their hearts have become like unplowed ground: hard, crusty and dry. No new seed is able to penetrate it. Jeremiah says, “Plow up the hard ground of your heart. Change your heart before God before it is too late.“

The people of Judah must, just as I must, rid themselves of bad habits and hidden sin. They must break up the crusty hard ground of their hearts in surrender of pride and strength to God. Then God can so new seed of joy and faithfulness. Lord, this old sentry is seeking you to break up any hard hearted way of mine. Renew my spirit.

Reason To Hope

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION

Turn fully, faithfully and finally to our merciful God (Jer 3:11–15). #ReasonToHope.

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

As a loving father, God beckons his wayward child, Judah, to return to him. Why? Because God is merciful – he will not stay angry forever. All he asks is that Judah (or anyone living in rebellion against him) surrender their heart, admit their defiance of all that is holy, confess it to God and return home to our loving father.

In return God promises shepherds with hearts after his own who will guide us with knowledge and understanding. Lord, you give me a reason to hope for the future of our nation, of our world. May we fully, faithfully and finally turn to you.

Walk The Talk

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION TO…

…Come in SINCERE repentance toward God; turn fully back to him (Jer 3:6–10). #SincereRepentance #WalkTheTalk #Revival

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Josiah, king of the southern kingdom of Judah was a good and gracious King. He was instrumental in leading Judah in a revival (2Ch 34). Unfortunately it was limited in its scope. The nation was bent on following the example of her sister Israel. So she flagrantly put other gods (who are no gods), gods of her own making, ahead of Jehovah God.

Judah should have learned from Israel‘s total collapse that she should repent and turn sincerely back to God. But she never fully did. Her revival was short-lived and mostly a pretense, a show. She abandoned the One who had saved her, assuring her fate (2Ki 23:25-27). Lord, may I (my beloved nation) learn from the examples of history. May I (my beloved nation) come to you in sincere repentance for sin. May my (our) behavior match the repentance.

I Hear Ya Talkin’

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION

Do not minimize your sin; own it, repent of it, return to God (Jer 3:1-5). #IHearYouTalkin #BlahBlahBlah #YouGottaWalkTheTalk #TurnBackToGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

I cannot think of a much more demeaning example than to be equated with a prostitute. It graphically portrays a total moral collapse. It reveals a flagrant and intentional departure from all that is moral and right. Judah committed spiritual adultery. God views their abandonment of him for other gods (who are no gods) as spiritual prostitution.

What does Judah do? She minimizes her sin and guilt. “Come on God. Shoot, you’ll always be our number one guy. We’re just exploring life. You know us – we’re not that bad (tisk, tisk). Surely you can’t be angry over a few incidental departures from you.”

“God says, “I hear you talkin’, but I see no change in how you’re walkin’.“ It is clear that we can never negotiate with God over our sin. Lord may it not be said of this old sentry that I simply minimize my sin and take lightly my relationship with you.

A favorite rap:

When God Stands Down

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION

May you not persist to ignore or reject the infinite love of God; he will stand down (Jer 2:31–37). #DoNotIgnoreGod #TurnBackToGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

More than just an angry, infuriated lover to Judah (God’s people) the Lord desires reconciliation. He says, “What horrible thing have I done to deserve your rejection? Why do you wish to be free of me? I have loved you, why are you now so ashamed of me?“

God goes on to compare Judah’s alliances with other godless nations like that of a prostitute subduing her lovers. All the while she disregards the poor, leaves them to die. But her newfound lovers will let her down. They will turn on her. She will be led into captivity as God looks on with pity.

Lord at times in my life this old sentry has acted incorrigibly toward you. My sin led me to captivity. You stood down from me. But ultimately my brokenness led me back to you. Your love for me, Oh Lord, is infinitely greater than any humanly contrived invention.

“Admit It And Quit It!”

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION

Come clean with God for your sin (Jer 2:26). #AdmitItAndQuitIt #Incorrigible #Repent

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Like the thief who never feels shame…until he is caught, is Judah before God (v26). They say, “Oh no, it wasn’t me“ (vv23,35). INCORRIGIBLE! The facts (pesky facts) of their abandonment of God prove otherwise (vv27–32). I am afraid that I myself am guilty of this all too often. Aren’t we all?

Like the cat who ate the canary, the kid who is caught with his hand in the cookie jar, there is no denying Judah’s guilt of sin. Nor my guilt of sin. On my best day I am prone to sin. Rather than deny it, I need to own it. “Admit it and quit it,“ as someone once said. Lord give this sometimes wandering sentry the honesty to own his sin, confess it and receive your grace and mercy.

When A Nation Needs Awakening

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION

Lord, may our nation know the fires of revival and spiritual awakening (Jer 2:-selected). #LordSendRevivalAndAwakening #LordSendRepentanceInTheLand

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Though God has blessed this nation, still Judah (its leaders, priests and people) ignore and worse, reject God. They do not seek the Lord (v8). They refuse to serve the Lord (v20). They are oblivious to their unfaithfulness to the Lord (v23). They thumb their noses at God and brazenly admit they are irresistibly in love with foreign gods, won’t change course. But, they cry out to God when they are in trouble (v27). They presume upon God’s grace and mercy [We’re special.] (v35). Really?

Lord, like Judah, how America has strayed from her moral and spiritual center. Her leaders, priests and people turn a deaf and indifferent ear towards you. She has broken her yoke of surrender to you. She has corrupted the values upon which she was founded. She is oh so stained by her sin ands rebellion against you. She goes brazenly hard after other, lessor gods in total abandonment.

Lord, sweep across our nation like a blazing prairie fire in revival and spiritual awakening

My Life Book On God’s Coffee Table

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION

May your life be a beautifully painted landscape unto the Lord (Jer 2:20–25). #CoffeeTableLegacy

Prairie Church, Leadville, Colorado (RWHollar)

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Many are the visions given to Jeremiah which paint pictures of Judah’s apostasy. These word pictures make clear her sin.

Judah is like the beast that has broken off the yoke that bound her to God, to follow after other lesser gods (v20). She is the fruitful vine that had grown wild and corrupt, producing no fruit (v21). She is depicted as linen with stains so bad nothing could remove the stains (v23). She is shown as a wild donkey in heat. She chases nonstop one lesser God after another for intimate relations (v24,25).

I ask myself, if God painted pictures of how I look to him, would it be worthy to be on his coffee table? Lord it is my desire that my life become a beautifully painted landscape onto you.

Abandoning God, A Risky Choice

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION

May the nation, the person, who abandons God turn back to him (Jer2:14-19). #Repent #TurnToGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The nation of Judah (God’s people) had slipped into dependence upon military might and alliances with other nations for their defense. This instead of dependence upon God. When one turns their back on God the only thing left is self-reliance and/or dependence on others for help. That never works out.

Further, this self-reliance is a full on rejection of God, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. He promises here that Judah (anyone who turns on God) will realize how evil and bitter a thing it is to abandon God. It is clear that any nation or person abandoning, rejecting God’s guiding hand (v17) is at risk of experiencing dire consequences.

Offending All Of Heaven

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION

Remain faithful to the Lord God of Heaven; return to him (Jer 2:1–13). #OffendingAllOfHeaven #Repent #TurnBackToGod #WalkWithGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

What is the big problem that Jeremiah is confronting? The people of God eagerly set out to love, honor and obey God. They saw every enemy before them fall. Through the years they grew complacent towards God. They corrupted their lives with worthless idols (other lesser gods) of Canaan. They rejected God.

The priests (ministers), of all people, no longer sought God. Teachers ignored God, rulers turned against God and the prophets began speaking on behalf of other heinous gods.* The heavens were shocked and horrified at this behavior. So, for flagrant willful abandonment of God and detestable worship of heinous lesser gods, God’s people will face certain judgment. Lord, may I (my nation) always remain faithful to you in my life; where I (we) fail may I (we) repent and turn to you.

* Could there be any more clear description of the days and times we live in? Can America continue down this path and not expect to see a reckoning of our behavior? God help us.

Small Town Boy; Big Time Mission

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION

Listen to God, do all he says to do (Jer 1:1,2,17,18,19). #ListenToGod #NeverTooYoungForGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

I am reading the very words of the prophet Jeremiah (second only in the Old Testament to Isaiah). Jeremiah was born in a small town (Anathoth, a Levite city; 3 1/2 miles north of Jerusalem). Jeremiah’s father, Hilkiah, was a godly priest. Jeremiah may have been in a school for scribes in Anathoth. Jeremiah was born about the time of a godly young king, Josiah,

Under Josiah, Judah was having a revival (2 Chronicles 34). But the revival was short-lived. Young Jeremiah (about age 13 to15) was called by God to take a big message of repentance to the people of Judah and Jerusalem.

[It gives me pause to consider some of the children God called into his service: the prophet Samuel, King David, King Josiah, Jeremiah, Mary, mother of Jesus, to mention a few – you’re never to young for God to use you.]

So, Jeremiah began to preach repentance to the people of God. In verses 17-19, Jeremiah gets his marching orders. Life would not be easy for this prophet of God. This old sentry never ceases to be challenged by the lives of young men and women God called into his service.

Never Looked Back

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION

Come humbly before God, he will not ignore your prayer (Psm 66). #Don’tLookBack #RepentTurnToGod GodCannotIgnoreRepentance

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Psalm 66 is my story. I never get tired of telling it. I can shout joyful praises to God. He has done “awesome miracles” on my behalf (too many to count (vv1–4). He gave me a clear path through troubled waters. I rejoice in him (vv5–7).

My life is in his hands. He has kept my feet from stumbling. He tested me, purified me, captured me, given me a leader worth following – Jesus Christ (vv8–12). I am here paying my vows from times of trouble (13–15).

December 28, 1968, high up in a guard tower in Vietnam, I surrendered to the Lordship of Christ. “I cried out to God for help. I confessed my sin and he listened to me. He did not ignore my prayer [nor any prayer since].“ (16–20). I NEVER LOOKED BACK!

Forgiveness Points To God’s Glory

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION

May you know the glorious redemption of God (Psm 19:12–14). #Forgiveness #HonorGodWithYourWholeHeart

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

A psalm of David – he gives thoughtful consideration to God’s revelation of himself through the cleansing act of forgiveness. God is quick to cleanse the repentant and surrendered heart from every sin – known and unknown.

The surrendered and obedient soul will be delivered from the absolute control of sin and the guilt that follows. God is a rock and redeemer to those who seek to honor him with their whole heart and actions. Lord, your loving forgiveness points this old sentry to your glorious redemption of his soul. May it be so for the world around me.

When Idols Fall

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION

Rid yourself of anything that comes between you and God (2Ch 34:1–7). #WhenIdolsFall #SeekGodWithYourWholeHeart

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

So, young Josiah was eight years old when he became king of Judah (he followed his wicked father Amon). It is hard to know exactly how and when the prophet Zephaniah may have influenced Josiah, but by age sixteen he had begun to earnestly seek Jehovah God.

Then, at age twenty, Josiah destroyed every pagan shrine, altar, carved image and symbol of the pagan god Baal. He purified, cleansed, all of Judah and Jerusalem. Revival was on the way. Lord, I see that revival begins when I seek you and my heart is cleansed of every idol (something I love more than you).

Nations Bow

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION

Come to God in humble worship (Zep 2:5–15). #EveryKneeShallBow #WorshipTheLord

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Final and swift judgment will also come upon all those who taunt God’s people. God will use the evil of those nations who hate God’s people (Israel) to discipline his people. But those nations will, “receive the [just] wages for their [sin] and pride, because they scoffed at God and his people” (v15).

There will be a day when the nations of the world will worship the Lord (v11). May the nations of the world bow down in repentance and worship the Lord even today. Lord, there is none who escape your view. All men will one day bow before you. May that day be sooner than later.

Carpe Diem

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION

Take advantage of this season for repentance (Zeph 2:1–3). #Repent #TurnToGodToday #SeizeTheMoment #CarpeDiem

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The deafening siren of alarm preceding judgment is only superseded by the urgent clarion cries to repent. The prophet is saying, “If you are hearing my message of judgment, then there is still time to repent and return to God.“ The season for repentance is brief and will quickly dissipate.

Seize this moment in time. Repent and turn to God while there is still time. Seek the Lord in humble contrition for sin. Follow his ways and do what is right. Repentance will deliver us through certain judgment. Lord, may I take every advantage of this season, this moment, to repent and turn to you .

Consequence Of Sin

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION

Never flirt with nor tolerate sin in your life (Zeph 1:10–18). #CertainDestructionOfSin #NoEscapingSin’sConsequence

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

This prophecy takes your breath away. It is swift, sweeping and severe (it took me a couple of days to absorb it). The prophet minces no words. God fully intends to punish sin and purify his people. When judgment comes, people inside the walls of Jerusalem will wail in sorrow over their destruction. No one, no sin, will be overlooked, to the darkest recesses.

Property and homes will be destroyed. Plants, vineyards, all life will be destroyed. Strong men will weep. Distress, gloom and blackness will sweep the city. It’s walls will be smashed. Blood will run in the streets and bodies will lay rotting on the ground. Life in Jerusalem will come to a terrifying end. Why? Because of sin (v17).

Lord, remove toleration of sin in my life (the life of my nation) far from me (from us). “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” – Psalms 139:23-24 NLT

Swift Judgment

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION

Do not delay turning to God in faith (Zeph 1:10,14). #SwiftJudgment #TimeToRepentIsNow #TodayIsTheDayOfSaving

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

God is oh so long-suffering with man in his sin and complacency. Messages of warning are sent out to repent and turn to God – judgment is coming. Eventually there will come that watershed moment when God‘s wrath over sin will pour forth like the sudden unexpected crack and devastation of a lightning strike. Swift, powerful, deafening, destructive.

We see the storm clouds gathering. We hear the distant thunder. We feel the atmospheric changes. Now the rain of God‘s judgment is falling upon us. A cry of alarm goes out, but it’s too late to run for cover. Father, the cry of the sentry is that the time to prepare, to repent, is now, while there is still time. May the nations not delay to turn to God in faith.

Mixed Up

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION

Expose and expel any idolatrous worship of the heart (Zeph 1:5–9). #MixedUp #HonorGod #TurnToGod #Judgment

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The height of hypocrisy is to claim to love and serve Jehovah God, then worship the gods of Baal and Molech as well. The people of Judah had mixed the religious practices of many religious pagan beliefs. Isaiah condemned this practice, as did Jesus (Isa 29:13; Mat 15:8).

For the idolatrous worship of Judah, God will bring sweeping judgment (vv2–4). Religious leaders will be severely judged for their role in misleading the people. The deceitful practices of the heart will be destroyed. So it was when Babylon destroyed Jerusalem. So it will be in the end of time. Father, search for and expel any idolatrous worship in me; in my nation.

A Call To Personal Surrender

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION

Come in full surrender to God for genuine revival (2Ki 23:26,27). #Revival #FullySurrenderToGod #Repentance

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Even though Josiah became one of Judah‘s greatest kings – he led according to God‘s ways – God was still angry with Judah for all the wickedness of Josiah‘s grandfather, Manasseh. (Certainly Josiah‘s father, Amon, did nothing to redirect Judah spiritually).

Other prophets will address Judah’s spiritual malaise during Josiah‘s reign. (2Ki 2:16-20 explains that judgment will be postponed until the end of Josiah’s reign) Even the spiritual greatness of a leader is no guarantee that the people will genuinely surrender their hearts to God.

Lord, This sentry understands that revival comes only as individuals sincerely repent and surrender fully to God (beginning with me).

Grieved

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION

May the nations call upon the living God in repentance (Nah 3:8–19; Isa 55:6). #CallUponGod #TimeIsShort #RepentAndTurnToGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Naham’s prophesy is that Assyria and her capital city, Nineveh, will be utterly destroyed. Annihilated. Because of her insane arrogance, brutality and cruelty, her indulgent sin and rejection, even defiance of God, she will be decimated. The fatal blow to ancient Assyria came at the hands of Jehovah God. No one would mourn her passing. All celebrated the obliteration of this superpower.

Just as predicted, Assyria was no more. This should sober the world today, grieve us, to repentance. Like the north winds are a sign of the coming winter, so the prophecy of Nahum over Assyria should serve as a harbinger of things to come in our world today. The nations of the earth should take heed. There will be a day of judgment, a day of reckoning. May God send an awakening into our world. May God awaken our world from her sleep of death.

Righteous Anger Prevails

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION

Live your life before God in sincere and humble repentance (Nah 3:1-8). #CityOfShamelessSin #JudgmentOfSinInevitable #RighteousAnger

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

What was Nineveh to God? She was a “city of murder, city of lies“ (v1); her victims reveal “countless casualties, heaps of bodies“ (v3). She was a “city of faithlessness, a city of deadly charm“ [fatal attraction] (v4). Nineveh was a city of extreme violence, brutality and cruelty (v19). She was a city of pride and arrogance (v8).

There is bad, and then there is evil. Nineveh was evil, on par with Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 19:24). Though Nineveh had repented under Jonah’s preaching (Jon 3:6–10), she later ruthlessly destroyed Israel (the northern kingdom). She was now threatening Judah (the southern kingdom) and the entire history of God’s people.

When sin/evil threatens the work of God and his redemption plan, God, in righteous anger, will move to eliminate the threat (note also Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5). Lord, may I live a life of sincere repentance towards you.

Fall of a nation

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION

May the nations and people of our world humbly surrender their hearts to God (Nah 2:11-13). #FallOfANation #RepentenceOfTheNations

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The great city of Nineveh, the great Assyrian empire, will be no more. She roamed about the earth fearing no one – all feared her. But she was ravenous for power and shredded without mercy everything on her way to it.

Assyria’s mighty military would be decimated by the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. She would never mercilessly plunder the nations again. Her voice will be utterly silenced for the ages.

Lord, pity the nation steeped in raw power, mercilessly and brutally overthrowing other nations. May we know the goodness of nations that are surrendered to God.

• The sentry cries out: I am no prophet. I am no judge. But nations in our world who brutalize their own people and the people of other nations will suffer mightily. Will Russia suffer the consequences of her brutal attacks on Ukraine? God will be the judge.

Despicable Behavior

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION

Awaken a spirit of repentance in the godless and indifferent of the world (Nah 1:9–14). #NowhereToRunNowhereToHide #Despicable

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

For the godless nation, there will be no amount of scheming that will outsmart God. Their plans will go up in one puff of smoke. They will be left reeling and brought to ashes. “We have allies,“ you say. They too will be consumed.

The yoke of bondage and destruction you have leveled against God’s people will be broken. Your grave has been dug and you will go down into it. Why? “Because you are despicable [contemptible].“ Your atrocities against the people are beyond loathsome.

Lord will you awaken the spirit of repentance in the godless and indifferent nations and people of the world.

A Warning To The Nations

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION

May God bring a halt to predatory rapacious nations today (Nah 1:1-3). #WarningToTheNations

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The scene shifts from Judah to Nineveh (capital of Assyria; It is CIRCA 620 BC). A century earlier the prophet Jonah preached judgment in the streets of Nineveh. She repented and was spared. But she has since descended into a cesspool of sin – idolatry, extreme violence, pride, murder, treachery and injustice. The prophet Nahum now announces that Assyria’s cup of judgment is full. Judgment is about to fall.

Nations today who overpower other nations, because they can, who show indifference to the destruction of life, property and human suffering will face the full fury of God’s anger. Father in these days the barbarian attack of Russia on Ukraine comes clearly into view. Woe to this godless and abominable leader, Vladimir Putin.

May the Ukrainian people know the full mercy of God. May Russia be decimated in her efforts to trample the sovereign nation of Ukraine.

“I’m Sorry” vs “I Repent”

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION

Express true repentance and change for genuine renewal (2Ch 33:14–17). #TrueRepentance

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

“I’m sorry,“ may get a do over, but “I repent,” changes everything. What happens when God sends renewal to a person soul? Often after a crisis in a person’s life comes deep remorse and apologies (vv11–13). In the case of King Manasseh, he appears to have made amends. He began to secure his kingdom against further attack. He removed idols from the temple and rebuilt the alters to Jehovah God.

But, the people were never really led to reform. They continued to worship pagan deities. Manasseh’s efforts were worthy, but not nearly what we would call “total surrender.“ It was more of an, “I’ll fix this Lord,“ approach to his leadership. Lord, it is never enough to simply be sorry for sin. Genuine change must come. “True religion is not a way of doing certain things. It is a certain way of doing everything.“ – James T Draper

The Depths Of God’s Love

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH AND NATION

May we as a people and as a nation understand the depths of God‘s love for us (2Ch 33:11-13) #TheDepthsOfGod’sLove #NothingIsImpossibleForGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Because of King Manasseh’s deep dive into disobedience toward God and his extreme wickedness, he was taken prisoner, enslaved by Assyria and removed from Jerusalem. While in deep distress he was broken. He humbled himself before God and prayed a prayer of deep remorse.

The Lord listened to Manasseh and was deeply moved. He brought him back to Jerusalem and restored his kingdom. Manasseh finally understood that the Lord alone is God. Perhaps, in his deep distress, he recalled the words of the prophet Isaiah, “The Lord’s arm is not so weak that it cannot save and his ear is not so deaf that he cannot hear” (Isa 59:1).

Thank you Lord. You heard a young soldier’s cry of deep repentance in Vietnam, 50+ years ago. This old sentry was changed forever.