Remain open to God for a new heart (Ezk 11:14-21). #HeartOfGod #StoneColdHeart #NewHeart
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
God speaks to Ezekiel in response to his prayer in verse 13. Those in Jerusalem spoke arrogantly and pridefully about those who had been taken into exile and Babylon.
They were the ones considered far from God, far from the temple in Jerusalem “where God was.“ But God‘s presence was about to leave the temple. God promises here to himself be the sanctuary of those in exile in Babylon.
It is not about a building. It is about a surrendered heart. Those remaining in Jerusalem were not repentant and knew nothing of that. God promises, Ezekiel and those in exile, to return them to their homeland.
They would return with a new spirit and a new heart (also 36:25-27). They would obey God faithfully and be his people. He would be their God.
Lord, thank you for not only the promise, but the reality of changing the stony cold heart of this old sentry into one that is new and surrendered to you.
Do not neglect the glory and salvation of the Lord (Ezk 10:9-17). #SeekGodsPresence #live#LiveToGodsglory
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
These verses comprise half of Ezekiel 10. They are Ezekiel’s description of the cherubim, the mobile throne and glory of God. This was seen in Ezekiel chapter 1. All of this informs us of God‘s intent to judge sin in Israel and in the nations, even for us today; all of us individually.
Colossians 1:27 tells us that “Christ in us is the hope of glory.“ Ezekiel teaches that God will only stay where he is wanted and obeyed. God never wants to withdraw his presence from his people. But when we (I) fill our lives with idolatrous worship we drive God’s presence from us (Isa 42:8).
Lord, your word warns not to neglect so great a salvation (Heb 2:1-3); we (I) need to wake up (Rom 13:11), hear your message and turn now to God.
May you see the glory, faithfulness, purity and eternal righteousness of God (Ezk 11:22,23). #ForeverGlorious
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
I am skipping ahead to the movement of God‘s glory from the east gate to the mountain on the east side of Jerusalem (that would be the Mount of Olives). From there, the glory of God would ascend into heaven and not return to the Temple.
Centuries later, Christ, the radiance of God‘s glory (Heb 1:1-3) would return in fulfillment of many prophecies concerning his birth, death and resurrection. Much of the later ministry of Christ centered in and around the place of God’s departure from Israel, the Mount of Olives in Ezekiel’s vision.*
Lord, may I not get bogged down in the daily struggle through the imagery of the prophets, time lines and prophetic utterances. May my reading, study and meditation on the your word lead me to see the glory of God, the faithfulness of God, purity of God, the patience of God with man and God‘s ultimate judgment of sin and God’s deliverance of his righteous ones into the eternal glorious homeland of Heaven.
_______
* Hailed as King of the Jews, Christ would make his triumphal entry into Jerusalem by an east gate (by that time Jerusalem and the Temple of Ezekiel’s day would have been destroyed and rebuilt).
One week later Christ would be crucified and resurrected from the dead. 40 days after that Christ would ascend from the Mount of Olives back into heaven (Acts 1:9-12). He would fill all believes with his glory (Col 1:27). He will one day return again descending in this same place (Zec 14:1-4; Acts 1:10,11). He will return as the reigning king over his new eternal Kingdom (Rev 11:25).
May your heart put faith in God alone (Ezk 7:14-18). #TimeIsUp #Repent#TrustInGodAlone #TooLittleTooLate
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
When the hammer of God‘s justice comes down, there will be no military might that can stave off the destruction. Here we see that God‘s judgment on Israel is manifested in the death of those in towns outside Jerusalem‘s walls. Inside the walls, famine and disease is a double edge sword.
Those who do escape will weep and mourn for their sin. Repentance will come…too little, too late to save their beautiful culture. This is the result of a nation who ignores God and puts faith in wealth, economy, military might, influence and political parties. Lord, may my heart learn to put its faith and trust in you alone.
Remain open to God‘s searching of your heart (Psm 139:19-24). #Can’tRunCan’tHide #SearchMyHeart
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
David concludes this Psalm – he has reflected on God‘s absolute knowledge, presence and power. He, enlists every one of these attributes of God to not only destroy his enemies, but to expose and separate him from any sinful offensive motivation, thought or word flowing from his own heart.
David knew he could not fool God, hide from or outrun God. He seeks genuine honesty before God regarding even his enemies. He seeks to be led by God along the pathway of everlasting life. Lord, I desire, invite, your deepest searching of my heart for any wayward or offensive word, or deed.
May your life express passion, devotion, and surrender to God (Psm 139:13-18). #Omnipotence #CreativeAbility
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
I don’t have trouble imagining God’s Omniscience or his Omni-presence. It is otherworldly and expected in the divine, the holy. Even Omnipotence (all powerful) is not hard to grasp – if it is thought of as raw power. But there is so much more to Omnipotence.
God‘s power in this text is seen as his inherent capacity and capability to create or engineer, the intricacies of man’s physical formation (DNA – mind, will, emotions, sinew and membrane). He does all this unseen within the depths of the womb of another human being.
Then God goes on to think of and order the days of EVERY life he creates, from start to finish. Yet, God gives every man and woman the independent ability to think for him or herself and make choices. God’s efficacy points me to his potency.
Lord, may your likeness in me return to you as love, devotion and surrender.
Seek God in all of his mystery and wonder (Psm 139:1-6). #OmniscientGod #AllKnowingGod #TheMysteryOfKnowing
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
King David expresses his wonder at the omniscience of God. God is on the inside of my heart, mind and motivations. He is aware of my movements from sun up to sundown. He knows my thoughts and words before they ever leave my mouth. He knows my motivations for all I do.
There is no hiding from God any secret thing. Yet, God blesses me.
He goes before me. David is struck by wonder the way a child might view the beauty and mystery surrounding Christmas,
floating bubbles or the quirks in nature.
Lord, how this old sentry longs to redeem my enchantments with the great mysteries of God.
May God’s word be your life song (Psm 119:49-56). #LoveGodsWord #LiveGodsWord #GodsWordMySong
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
God‘s word provides gracious refreshing. In the midst of hardship and struggle, it brings hope, revives my spirit. God‘s word comforts me in my early morning rising and in my night watches.
God‘s word is the theme song of my life – it orders my days in whatever circumstances I find myself. Others may reject God’s word, hold me in contempt, but I do not turn away from God’s word. Lord, the theme of my life, the song of my life, is ordered and harmonized by your word.
May we (America) separate ourselves from sin early; sooner than later (Ezk5:11-17).#RepentTurnToGod #Awakening #RealChange #ComeEarlyToGod
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
In Ezekiel’s model (v4:1,2), Jerusalem (Israel) was to be a beacon of God’s love and protection, a light to the nations (5:5,6; Gen 22:15-18; Isa 49:6). But she rebelled. She left God and worshipped all manner of other gods, and in grotesque detestable ways. In this text she is still a model, but for horror, mockery and taunting.*
The condemnation of Jerusalem will be a warning to the nations. They will see how the Lord punishes a nation that is being rebuked for their sin. The horrific acts of men reveal the depravity of their hearts. If God is willing to punish his own, how then shall others escape (Heb 2:1-4)?
Lord, I am reminded of sin’s full capacity to destroy life, God’s intense jealousy and my need for repentance.
_________
* So, is the God of the Old Testament just a God of anger? No! Verse 13 tells me that he is a God of covenant love driven to jealousy by the betrayal and adultery of his people.
May we laud and yield to our holy & loving Heavenly Father (Ezk5:5,6). #WorshipTheLord #GivePraiseToGod #ServeTheLordGladly
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
As clear a representation as chapter four of Ezekiel is of God‘s judgment on Judah, chapter five gives further definition to Judah’s destruction.
God had placed Judah at the center of the Nations. She was to be an example of God‘s great interest and engagement with all the nations; an influence for godly living. But she rebelled. She lost touch with the Holy, she became even more wicked than her surrounding nations. She refused to follow after God. Her attitude and actions would now come under God’s discipline.
The words of Jesus even decry the pain God feels for his rebellious people (Mat 23:37–39). Lord, may I ever be in touch with the Holy One.
May your living choice be a life well lived for Christ (Ezk 4:16,17). #TheLivingChoice #LifeInChrist
The Desolation of Jerusalem by Babylon
Morning Watch Notes:
The point of Ezekiel‘s “living prophecy“ was to symbolize the Israelites living in exile in Babylon, that God’s people were indeed undergoing the discipline of the Lord.
The self imposed rationing of bread and water by Ezekiel was ordered by God. It characterized the devastation of the Israelites’ homeland (Lam 1:11; 2:11-12,19; 4:4-5,9). There should be no question that God was allowing the demise of Judah as result of her decades of sin (Lam 4:12,13; 5:15-18). This Ezekiel would preach and demonstrate God’s judgment through his living model prophecy.Lord, may my heart remain purely focused on a life well lived for you.
Let not the siege of sin and disobedience put a barrier between you and God (Ezk 4:3). #FullSurrender #Repentance
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
I have to remind myself as I read Ezekiel, the prophet is not addressing residents of Jerusalem. He is addressing citizens of Judah (Jerusalem) who have already been removed and deported to Babylon. False prophets have been telling them this season of captivity would be short-lived. Not so! (Jer 29:8-11)
The iron griddle in v3, placed between Ezekiel and his clay model city under siege, symbolizes the severity of the siege against the hearts of Jerusalem and the impregnable barrier between them and God because of sin (Isa 59:2). Jerusalem would cry out to God, but get no answer. The city would eventually fall.
Lord, there is no bargaining, no deal to be had with you. Only my full surrender and reverent obedience will suffice.
May our eyes be opened to the sin that so besets us (Ezk 4:1-3).
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
[This is the first of many object lessons given to us by Ezekiel. It reveals judgment for sin against Jerusalem. Picture it as a Play-Doh war zone]
Ezekiel places a clay brick with a map of Jerusalem etched on it. He molds a wall around the brick; toy soldiers surround the brick with siege ramps and battering rams. Then Ezekiel places in iron griddle between himself and the Play-Doh city under siege.
The point here is that no wayward sinful heart can escape from the city. The image demonstrates how harsh the siege against Jerusalem will be. It pictures a warning to the people of Israel.
Jesus spoke in parables. Often the prophets spoke through object lessons. All were done to make a spiritual point about God‘s love and plans for man. God always intends to break the wayward heart because he is merciful. Lord, open our (my) eyes to your merciful warnings concerning the siege of sin and judgment.
May our hearts be open to God’s word; ready to listen & obey (Ezk 4:1-8). #ListenToGod’sWord #GodIsSpeaking
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Often the prophets would speak through object lessons (Jesus himself spoke in similar ways). This was always done to make a spiritual point about God‘s mercy and plan for men. This first object lesson of Ezekiel‘s was certainly done in plain view of many onlookers.
The onlookers here would be those Israelites living captive in Babylon. Word would spread quickly, “Come and see what Ezekiel is doing.“ Perhaps he laid out his object lesson in the front yard of his own living quarters. In confined living, ev’one would know where “the prophet” lived. The point was to draw disobedient hearts back to God and his plan for Israel.
Lord, may your word pique the interest of my heart to listen to what you are saying to me (to all of us).
Carefully digest all God’s word speaks to you (Ezk 3:14,15). #HearingGodsCall #UnderstandingGodsCall
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Like watching the “Download” icon on my computer, I find myself here, waiting for the download; trying to discern and describe what Ezekiel himself must have felt woefully inadequate to describe. It would be easy to get bogged down in the symbolism of his vision of God. But the point here is to try and understand the depth and far reaching impact of Ezekiel’s vision on his whole psyche.
The vision has obviously exhausted Ezekiel. He is moved by the spirit within him to arise. He is pressed upon by God to digest all that God has said (v1-4). He is at once empathic with God over Israel’s sin and his heart is in turmoil. He is in need of time to process all he has seen and heard. He is led to go and sit among his exiled brethren. For seven days he sits quietly and pensively, considering all God has downloaded; his call and message.
Lord, it is necessary that I take the time to process what you speak into my life daily.*
_______
* I am by no means any superior example of righteous living. But my heart goes back to the year 2011 or 2012. At the time I was on a, “read through the Bible chronologically in a year,” plan.
I found myself daily trying to digest huge portions of scripture just to finish the plan. I realized then that if I did not stop and try to process what I was receiving it would not do me as much good as I would hope. At that point, I made the decision to slow down and take the time to read through God’s word processing it as I go [ingest, digest, manifest] (Ezekiel 3:1-4).
Here I am in 2025. It’s been roughly 13 years since I made that decision. That doesn’t make me spiritual giant. It just proves that I am a slow learner.
I recently finished the New Testament and am currently trying to finish the Old Testament. I don’t know when I will be done. But my priority is to understand what I am reading in God’s word and not just finish a project. A GREAT DECISION FOR ME.
Trust God to be always present and always working (Ezk 3:12,13). #ExpectDevineMovement #SeekingTheLordOfGlory #DevineEncounters
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
While Ezekiel is trying to absorb his vision of God in his flying chariot throne, he is transported (lifted up). He seems startled. Verse 14 expresses his disconcertment as turmoil. He was mentally startled.
The throne of God is moving. The living beings are arosed and the great wheels begin turning. There is a thunderous noise as the glory of the Lord is lifted up. Ezekiel himself is lifted up by the same spirit in Ezk 2:2. He is transfixed as like in a trance; dazed and bewildered. Yet, he is safe at the center of Devine movement.
Lord, I have never had any vision like Ezekiel’s. But I have seen Devine movement at work at crucial times in my life.
Be ready to go for God today (Ezk 2:1,2). #GodSpeaks #GoForGod #StandWalkRun
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
When we have worshiped, been before God on our face, God does not expect us to stay prostrate, paralyzed, on the ground. No, we must then stand and be ready to go on in humble service. Micah 6:-8 compels us to “WALK humbly before God.” Roman 12:1 leads us to present our bodies as living sacrifices in honorable SERVICE to God.
Ezekiel was renewed in his spirit (note Isa 40:29-31). The Lord stood him on his feet. This was a sign that he was ready to go for God. Humble worship leads to faithful service. Lord, coming out of my daily personal cathedral of praise, my heart is renewed. I am ready to go for God today.
Humble your heart to listen to God (Ezk 2:1). #ListenForGod’sVoice #GodSpeaks
Humble Hearts Hear God’s Voice
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
This is the call of God on Ezekiel‘s life. I am reminded first that there is a separation between man and God. “Son of man“ is a reminder to Ezekiel (and to me) that he is a man and nothing more. But he is a man with whom and to whom God will speak.
God saw Ezekiel‘s humble response to the vision in Chapter One. To “stand up” (as God here instructs), one must first go down (Ezk 1:28) in humble acknowledgment of God‘s presence.Humble hearts will illicit the voice of God speaking. Lord, my Morning Watch is dedicated to an open heart to listen to your voice.
Be alert to, listen for, God‘s call on your life (Ezk 1:28). #MarkedMan #AlertToGod’sCall #MarkedByGod’sGlory
Marked for God
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Ezekiel here mentions that he hears a voice for the second time. The first reference to a voice (v24) seems to be unintelligible. But here, the voice was speaking directly to Ezekiel. God is preparing to call Ezekiel and instruct him in his prophetic ministry.
The entire first chapter has set the stage and will carry Ezekiel through his entire ministry. He will never think of God again without a sense of awe, holy fear and wonder. “The man of God comes out from [HIS] presence indelibly marked by the glory of his Lord.” *
Lord, reading in this Old Testament book, may I be a man alert to your call and marked by your glory.
____________
* Taylor, John B. EZEKIEL, An Introduction and Commentary. Downers Grove, Illinois: Inter-Varsity Press, 1969), 41.
Seek to know God in new ways (Ezk 1:22-28). #SplendorRevealed #SeeGodInNewWays
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
I can hardly imagine what Ezekiel must have been experiencing as this vision of God unfolds before him. I am struggling to wrap my brain around what he must have been seeing. The enormity and expanse of it, the splendor and the magnificence of it is beyond what the human mind could imagine or comprehend.
My initial response is to close my Bible and go find something easier to read. But I know that our God wants to be known. Jesus proves that. Lord, may I push past not knowing, not understanding, may I know you in a new and meaningful way.
May we order the many parts of our lives in unity with God’s purposes (Ezk 1:5-9). #UnitedInPurpose #ManyPartsOneWill
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
The vision of Ezekiel is here further described. The four beings (cherubs) looked human in their form. Each being had four faces and four wings. Their legs were straight. Each being had human hands under their lower wings. Their feet were like the hooves of a calf – were bright shining light polished brand bronze.
The upper wings stretched out and touched the wings of the other being, forming a square shape. The beings darted (v14) about in any direction without turning and did so according to the movement of the spirit within them (v12). The unity in this vision is clear. There are many parts, all of which move in unity according to the spirit within them. Lord, may I order my life in unity with your will and purposes.
Seek humbly to understand God’s word (Ezk 1:28; 2:1,2; 3:23,24). #ListeningToGod #SayWhat
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
My heart is perplexed as I read God‘s call of Ezekiel. It is a call like no other prophet in length, scope and vision. His call is three chapters long. It is simple yet, complex. I have pondered the vision and message (the call) of Ezekiel for several days. I want to understand all of it, but my heart is perplexed, hesitant. Yet I am moved to grasp its meaning.
I am asking God for understanding. I am asking him to overcome my hesitations and lack ofCOURAGEto press into this prophetic book. I wish to emulate Ezekiel, coming face down to the ground in humility before God. I pray to God, “Lord, may this old sentry receive understanding of all that you intend from this prophetic book.” As I pray, I’m hearing God say, as he said to Ezekiel, “Stand up, I want to speak with you by my Spirit” (2:1,2; 3:24 above).
Give praise for our overwhelming hope in Christ (1Jhn 5:4,5). #ChristIsTheVictory #JesusOvercomesTheWorld
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Every child of God, no exceptions, defeats the evil in this world. Victory is achieved through our faith in the Son of God – Jesus. That is to say, as long as there are committed believers, followers of Christ in this world, there will be hope.
Hope that men can be loving towards each other;
Hope that nations can/will repent and come to Christ;
Hope that even one child of God can make a vast difference;
Hope that gives assurance of ultimate eternal victory over the evil of this world.
Lord, my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
Do not let shame, pride, fear or guilt prevent you from returning home to God (Jer 51:50,51).
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
God’s people are directed by God to return to their homeland at the fall of Babylon (vv45,50). But they are mortified, ashamed and disgraced because foreigners and aliens had desecrated the Temple of God in Jerusalem. They felt so ashamed (v51).
“Yes, but God.“ What God says to them in essence is I am coming to deliver (v52). Don’t be paralyzed by shame. Though you may feel far from God, he is closer to you than you think. Turn your eyes on God. Set your gaze on your homeland. (v50). The way home is to repent, turn your heart towards him again and he will see you through. He will do a work of revival in you.
__________
WHY WOULD ANYONE NOT RECEIVE SO COMPASSIONATE A LOVE AS THE FATHER OFFERS?
S H A M E ! F E A R ! P R I D E !
_________
Adam and Eve reacted to their sin and disobedience towards God, not by humbly seeking God to admit guilt. But in their newly acquired shame, pride, guilt and fear (having eaten of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good & Evil) they tried to cover up their sin. They thought they could hide from God (Gen 3). They thought they could outsmart God and somehow avoid accountability.
The Psalmist felt shame (Psm 73): ”Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant— I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you” [but God reminded him of his compassions]. The Psalmist continues, “You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth“ (Psm 73:21-22,24-25 NLT).
Paul says there is no disappointment in Jesus (Rom 10:11).
______
In Jeremiah 51:50-51, God essentially explains how to defeat shame. The children of Israel were in captivity in Babylon. God through Jeremiah tells them to return home to Jerusalem when Babylon falls. But the children of Israel express shame that the temple in Jerusalem was desecrated on their watch.
in these two verses God is saying, THE WAY HOME IS…
1) don’t be paralyzed by shame, pride, guilt and fear,
2) turn your eyes on God [on Jesus],
3) set your face to your homeland [set your eyes on your future glory] and…
4) though you feel far from God, he is closer than you think.
Turn to him now. There is hope. Ask God’s forgiveness for sin. Invite him to take his rightful place in your heart. Then follow him…all The Way Home.
May God’s sentries on the American wall “Stand Faithfully, Watch Vigilantly, Pray Earnestly, Speak/Act Boldly” to warn of approaching hoofbeats (Jer 51:45-50). #ApprochingHoofbeats #StormWarning
APPROACHING HOOFBEATS
Morning Watch: Extended
It would be foolish to declare the words of Jeremiah 51:45-50 as prophecy over America. That is not the context. However, it would also be foolish not to take a lesson from history. Especially when I see these very same things happening in America. It is a wake up call!!!
This is what the sentry on the wall, the American wall, ought to be doing – pointing to the signs of God’s impending judgment and crying out a warning of the approaching hoofbeats of an overwhelming adversary being sent by God himself.
In 2024 is America headed for judgment? There are signs to be read:
1. Rumors arise every year of growing adversarial threats. (China, Russia, North Korea, Iran).
2. There is violence and lawlessness in our streets, judicial oversight is falling apart.
3. Leaders in government fight against each other (interagency fighting, federal and state governments fighting, congressional fighting).
4. America will certainly see her great idols fall (great institutions of science, education, her military complex, financial markets, false religions, et.al).
5. I would humbly add to this list the demise of the family unit and the breakdown of morality.
It is the ultimate hubristic and godless mind that could think such a society could survive.
Consider the words of Christ who said, “Fools, you can read signs of weather, but you don’t know how to interpret the present times” (Luke 12:56). You don’t have to be a prophet to read the signs of our times.
The sentry on the wall has standing orders: Stand Faithfully, Watch Vigilantly, Pray Earnestly, Speak/Act Boldly (ISA 62:6; NEH 4:16-18;Hos 8:1-4).
But I don’t come to this passage with some pessimistic fatalism. I come to this passage with some excitement about the future. May we see either a GREAT AWAKENING that sweeps thousands into the Kingdom of a God and/or a GREAT EXIT in the second coming of Christ.
Expect that God is always at work to speak into the lives of his people, pointing us back to him (Jer 51:59-61). #God’sCanvas #BehindTheVeil #GodIsWorking
Behind the Veil
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Jeremiah Chapters 50 and 51 records the message of the prophet concerning the eventual demise of Babylon. The intention is to encourage the Jews in exile there. This text explains how the message would arrive and be read to the exiles.
A man named Seraiah was a staff officer of King Zedekiah (vassal king to Babylon in Judah). Seraiah would accompany Zedekiah on a trip to Babylon; likely summoned there by King Nebuchadnezzar. Seraiah’s Instructions were to read the scroll prepared by Jeremiah (Chapters 50 and 51) to the Israelites in exile.
From this and other Scripture, I gather that we may expect that God is always working on his canvas, behind the veil of life, to speak truth and encouragement into the hearts of his people. Even when his people are far from him.
Lord, I take heart knowing that, no matter how far I wander, you continue working in my circumstances (even when held captive in my own exile) to point my heart back to you.
_________
I just have to say that I truly understand the wandering heart. I spent some years doing a lot of wandering myself in my late teens and early 20s. The Lord spoke into my life during those years numerous times, in various degrees of intensity.
Finally, I found myself in exile (like the children of God taken captive and moved to Babylon). My exile was Vietnam. I had no choice. Drafted into the Army, I was literally uprooted and physically moved. It was in Vietnam that God got his message through to me.
While I was in my exile God sent a man named “Smitty” (a fellow soldier) with a message to me, just like he sent “Seraiah” to his people in exile. I will always be forever grateful to God for Smitty. He spoke into my life, just as Seraiah spoke into the life of the Israelite exiles. At one point while in a guard tower (2 -3 AM, December 28, 1968), God turned the light. I heard from him and I began my journey back to God‘s plan and purpose for me. I never looked back.
So, when I say that you can expect God to be working behind the veil of life in order to speak into our lives, I know that not only from Gods word, I know that from experience as well.
May we know as a people the joy of the full restoration of God (Jer 27:22). #God’sRestoration #RestorationPromise
RESTORED!
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
The Lord does not leave his people without hope. Though judgment may fall upon the land of Judah, the precious implements of worship be removed from the temple in Jerusalem, God promises to restore them to their place (people & worship).
God reveals here that there will be restoration after judgment and discipline has befallen his people. God never leaves us without Hope. America is not without hope. Lord, though this sentry, my beloved country, may feel the pain of your discipline, may I (we) also know joy and hope in the promise of your full restoration.
Be discerning of those who speak lies and live for their own self interests. (Jer 29:15-23). #BelieveGod #DiscernTruth
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Although God has a “good plan” for his people (vv10–14), to bring them through his discipline, they have a long way to go. But the seers and prophets in their midst were telling them lies and living licentious lives. They sought to silence, Jeremiah (vv26–28). They were giving a false sense of hope.
God will deal harshly with the sin of those who falsely represent God. Part of God‘s “good plan“ includes his discipline. In this case, it will take 70 years to bring his people through that discipline as part of God’s “good plan”. “No one enjoys discipline. But it will produce a good harvest of righteousness in those who are trained by it“ (Heb 12:11).
Lord, may I always speak the truth and live putting others interests ahead of my own (Eph 4:14,15; Phi 2:4).
Trust God with all of your future (Jer 29:10-14). #TrustGod #BelieveGod #AFutureAndAHope
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
This may be one of the most hope filled passages in the Old Testament. God’s people are given assurance of deliverance, in spite of their dire circumstances. God will not forget his people. His plan is purposeful, and his discipline will achieve its desired outcome.
God‘s people will once again call Upon him. He will be found and present with them. He will restore their fortune and return them to their land, and so he did. Our God is a God of purpose and hope. Lord, I am encouraged about my own future by the words of this passage.
May you never abandon God (Jer 25:15–29). #TurnNowToGod #Repent
The imagery of the cup of God, filled and running over the brim, speaks of the wrath of God. All the known nations of Jeremiah‘s time (all named here) will be made to drink of this cup. They would be falling down as a drunken sot, and throwing up. That is, they would be fully overcome by God‘s judgment, as did occur at the hands of Babylon.
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Judgment here begins with Judah. It ends with judgment on Babylon. She would be left in the ashes of history. God states in verse 29, “If I punish Jerusalem, the city that bears my name, shall I let go unpunished the sin, corruption, and perversion of every other nation?” NO! None will escape God’s judgment. AMERICA TODAY NEEDS REVIVAL AND AWAKENING. Lord, when we abandon you and refuse to return to you, we may surely know your abandonment of us (Pro 1:24-33; Dan9:5,6; Rom 1:28,29; 1Th 5:19-22).
The Prayer Sentry 