The School of Affliction

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May you earnestly seek God in your trials (Psm 119:73-80). #SchoolOfAffliction #SeekGodInAflictions

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

I should be aware that others eyes are upon me. The psalmist says, “May all who fear you [God] find in me a cause for joy.” The School of Affliction may be for a time bitter. But with affliction comes the comfort of God for those who look to his word for help (Heb 12:10,11; Psm 119:50).

In the face of trials and affliction, I will seek God in his word to surround me with his tender mercies. I may also draw strength from those godly ones around me (v79). My delight is in God‘s word and among those who fear him. Lord, may I have the good sense to seek you in my afflictions.

Words of High Value

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Value God‘s word above all other wealth (Psm 119:65-72). #LoveGodsWord #ValueGodsWordAboveAllElse #GodsWordABlessing

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The psalmist asks God for good judgment and knowledge.* A lot of good judgment comes from having made bad judgments – not that it has to be that way. But the psalmist admits to have wandered off the path of understanding. Yet, God was merciful. He reveals that the suffering from bad judgment teaches us to pay more close attention to God‘s word, follow it more carefully (vv67, 71; Jas 1:2-7).

Others may devalue God word. But God’s word will always lead me in truth. I can have confidence in that. God‘s word is more valuable than any precious metal. Lord, I have learned from experience to value highly your word.

__________

* The Knowledge Riddle

He who knows not and knows not that he knows not is ignorant – Avoid him.

He who knows not and knows that he knows not is hungry – Feed him.

He who knows and knows not that he knows is asleep – Awaken him.

He who knows and knows that he knows is a leader – Follow him.

McCoy McLemore Jr. – American NBA basket ball player in the 1960s and 1970s. As a Christian speaker he spoke these words to prison inmates in a Bill Glass evangelistic Weekend of Champions.

Life Song

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

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.

Freedom’s “Best Practices”

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Find your freedom in honoring (doing) God’s word (Psm 119:41-48). #LoveGodsWord #LiveGodsWord #BestPractices

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Honoring God‘s word is to walk in freedom. Assured of God‘s love and promises, we will have an answer for those who harass us. We will have a hope that is secure. We will speak to anyone without shame. Why would I not want to do that?

I would not neglect to read and follow the instruction manual to operate my washing machine. Those instructions don’t inhibit my freedom. They make its use more effective in cleaning my clothes. My clothes will be cleaner. Why would I look at God‘s word any differently?

Lord, may I view your word as applying “best practices” in my life.

No Earthly Alternative

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Set your heart on loving & doing God‘s word (Psm 119:33-40). #LoveGodsWord #LiveGodsWord

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

At the heart of this passage is to have a heart that is set on knowing, understanding and living God’s word. Striving for earthly treasure and things worthless to eternity will not bring satisfaction (vv36,37). Joy comes in knowing God‘s word, keeping it and putting it into practice to the end of days.

My heart should be to abandon all ways not pleasing to the Lord. The result will be a life filled with God’s goodness. Lord, may I love and do your word more than any earthly alternate treasure.

God’s Word, Relevant

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May you find your relevance in God‘s word (Psm 119:25-32). #LiveGodsWord #TrustGodsWord

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

God’s word…

… Broadens my horizon

… Expands my understand

… Elevates my perspective

… Revives my heart

… Informs my plans

… Speaks into my sorrows

… Strengthens my faith

… Sets my course of life

… Bolsters my confidence

Lord, your word determines my relevance and who I am.

Truth = Freedom

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May your desire for God‘s word increase (Psm 119:17-24). #LiveGodsWord #TrustGodsWord #DesireGodsWord

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

In the past I often looked at rules and commands as restricting my freedoms, holding me back from some good thing. Truth = Freedom. God’s word keeps me from doing things that might hurt me and not doing my best. God‘s word is like a roadmap for me in a strange land. It guides me along my way.

The psalmist asked God to, “Open my eyes to wonderful [spiritual] truth.” While all the world around me may scorn, sit in judgment and try to silence me – I should desire, obey and meditate on God‘s word as wise counsel for me. Lord may my desire for your word supersede all that overwhelms me.

B. I. B. L. E.

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Seek to know and follow God‘s word (Psm 119:9-16). #LiveGodsWord #TrustGodsWord

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

How will a young person stay pure and faithful? How will anyone stay pure and faithful? That is the question posed by the psalmist. The answer is, “by being obedient to God‘s word.“ The psalmist searches God‘s word. He hides it in his heart. He digests God‘s word, he studies and understands it. He speaks it, meditates on it, applies it, rejoices in it, and retains it.

B. I. B. L. E.

Basic Instructions Before

Leaving Earth

God‘s word is the field manual for the soldier-saint; the “HOW TO” manual for survival. Lord, I am never without the carefully prescribed instructions of God‘s word to guide my life every day.

Actions Reflect Allegiance

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Seek to be loyal to the word of God (Psm 119:1-8). #LiveGodsWord #TrustGodsWord

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Blessed is the man or woman who acts with integrity, who obey God‘s word from their heart. They seek to carry out God‘s word carefully. I join the psalmist wishing to reflect this in my life. I need not be ashamed when God‘s word is clearly at work in me.

God teaches me from his word. Living according to God‘s word is how I thank God. The plea of the psalmist is that God never give up on him. God never will give up on me when I genuinely seek him. Lord, may my allegiance and devotion to your word be seen in my daily living.

WORD!

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Lift high, the virtues of God’s word in your life (Psm 119:11,105). #TrustGod’sWord

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Psalm 119 is organized according to the Hebrew alphabet, as in an acrostic. With 22 subsets (22 letters of the alphabet), each begins with the corresponding alphabetic letter. Each subset contains eight verses. With 176 verses in this chapter, it is the longest chapter in God‘s word.

Nearly every verse in this psalm mentions God‘s word in one form or another. It is not surprising that two of the most familiar verses about God‘s word come from this psalm (vv11,105). This psalm extols the virtues of God‘s word in an eloquent yet simple way. Its structure is easy to follow and memorize.

Father, the presence of your word in my life gives me hope, courage, and purpose.

In Troubled Times

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Look to God’s word in times of hardship and struggle (Psm 119:9,23,109). #TrustGod’sWord #TrustGodInTheMidstOfTroubles

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

My Life Application Study Bible introduces this unique Psalm (ch 119) by saying, “God‘s word is true. Stay true to God and his word no matter how bad the world becomes.“ It is unknown who wrote this Psalm, but it was likely a young man (vv 9, 99, 100).

The writer appears to be one who is, persecuted for his faith (vv 23, 46, 161), even in bonds, perhaps even expecting death (vv 61, 83, 109).* Yet, in the midst of this, God‘s word is his comfort. This whole Psalm is a prayer for steadfastness in the midst of ungodly troubles.

Lord, no matter my trouble, your word is always a lamp unto my feet, a light unto my path (v105).

________

* Keil-Delitzsch. PSALMS, Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Erdmans Publishing Co., 1975), 243.

No One Excluded

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Personally know and engage others with God’s love and faithfulness (Psm 117:1,2). #GodIsWorthyOfOurPraise #TruthForAllMen #NoExceptions

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Here is recorded the shortest chapter in the Bible and the middle chapter of the Bible. It is a psalm of thanks. While Psalm 114 gives praise for God‘s love and faithfulness to Israel, Psalm 117 offers praise for God‘s work – his love and faithfulness – with/for the Gentile world (see also Rom 15:11).

These two verses strike a truth that resounds as a worldwide mission. It is for all people without distinction and all nations without exception.* There is superabundant covering for sin to Jew and Gentile alike. “HALLELUJAH!” it concludes. Lord, you have extended your love and faithfulness to all men everywhere.

____________

* Keil-Delitzsch. PSALMS, Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Erdmans Publishing Co., 1975), 221.

Reason To Praise

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Come humbly into God‘s presence; praise and worship him (Psm 114:4-8). #WorshipTheHoly #GodIsWorthyOfOurPraise

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

When God delivered Israel out of Egypt he turned back the Red Sea. He met with Moses on Mount Sinai. When God descended to meet with Moses, there was thunder, lightning, dark clouds, smoke, the blast of a trumpet and a terrible quaking of the earth. it was holy ground (Exo 19:16–19). When Israel crossed over into the promised land, the Jordan River was stopped up.

The psalmist here references all of that when he says, “The waters turned back and the mountains and hills skipped like Rams and lambs.“ The psalmist speaks rhetorically, “So, waters, why do you turn back? Mountains, why are you quaking?” The assumed answer is, because God is a holy presence – full of awe and power. God calls all of nature to worship, to give praise to him.

Lord, you give me reason to praise and worship you.

God, Never Not Leading

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Rely on God to place you where he wants you (Psm 114:1–3). #FollowGod’sLeading

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

I am temporarily stepping away from the intensity of God‘s call of Ezekiel. Centuries prior to Ezekiel‘s call, God had delivered Israel from the bondage of Egypt. The psalmist here reminds God people to be mindful that God chose them.* Circumstances then led them to Egypt and into bondage. But God led them out, delivered them from Egypt.

God parted the Red Sea in a mighty act of deliverance. Following the forty year wilderness journey, he stopped up the Jordan River and made a path for his people to enter into the land promised to them. Lord, I am reminded that I may rely upon your absolute determination to lead me to the places of your choosing.

__________

* Why God chose Israel – this blog:

Remembering Altars

One year ago today the beautiful companion of all my dreams, my bride my queen, of fifty-three years, the gracious mother and grand mother of our children and grand children stepped across the heavenly threshold.

My sweet Dianne gave up her earthly form for her promised heavenly form. She let go of my hand while simultaneously, with her other hand, she took the hand of the one she so loved and served – the Lord Jesus.

I brought her to an altar just as her dad had brought her in 1971. Her dad gave his daughter into my safe earthly keeping. He had faith in me to love, honor and cherish her. With much joy, hope and anticipation he gave her away to me. She left their earthly home in exchange for another. In the years to come I would come to other altars and know the same experience with my children.

Altars are places where religious rites are performed, commitments and vows are made, where sacrifices are laid down before the Holy.

One year ago, on July 4, 2024, I would bring the one given to me at an altar to another altar. It was not an altar made with human hands or forethought. It was an altar of another kind, one made of the things of heaven. Things, that if I saw, I could not describe.

It was here, at 8:30 pm, that night a year ago, that I brought my precious life partner. I, like her dad placed her hand in mine those years ago, placed her hand in the hand of her Lord. I gave this gracious gift given by God back to him. I did so with anticipation of her good keeping in his hands. My hope is in the joy she is experiencing now and soon enough, I will too. She exchanged her earthly home for another. A heavenly home.

Covenant Love, Jealous Love

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

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.

Crossing The Line

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May we clearly understand God‘s conviction and turn to him (Ezk5:7-9). #RepentTurnToGod #TurnToGod #CrossingTheLine

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

God’s Case Against Judah/Israel, his people. Time and time again God has called his people to repent and turn back to him. Yet, they have refused. They crossed the line.

A Clear Case of Rebellion: his people have acted worse than their surrounding pagan nations; they have refused to trust and obey God’s commandments. Over the line.

The Sentence: God promises to punish his people for their idolatrous worship. He will do so publicly while the nations look on in horror.

God further promises to punish his people like he never has before or will ever again. God will scatter any survivors to the winds.

Lord, at the end of my own days of rebellion I clearly understood what the consequences would be crossing the line. Thank you for clearly speaking to me and leading me to a change of heart towards you.*

______________

* See Behind the Veil, this blog. It points to my own testimony.

Measured Justice

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May you know the conviction and compassion of God’s word (Ezk5:1-4). #GodsMeasureOfJustice

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

After Ezekiel had shaved his head and beard, he was to weigh out three equal parts:

1/3 he would burn over his model city (4:1,2). These are those who would die by famine and disease in the siege of Jerusalem (5:12).

1/3 were to be chopped up by his sword. These are those who would die by the sword of the enemy (v12).

1/3 was to be scattered to the wind. These are those who would be chased down by the enemy and slaughtered (v12).

Ezekiel was to save some hair out and tuck it into his robe, but some of these would also be thrown into the fire. These are the remnant to be saved who believe (but even some of those will be lost – Mat 7:21-23).

God may be speaking harshly here, but he always speaks clearly and for our good. Lord, may I know and understand clearly the conviction and compassion of your word.

NOW, A Good Time to Repent

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Acknowledge sin, turn to God in humble repentance (Ezk5:1).

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Continuing his “living prophecy,” Ezekiel is instructed to shave his head and beard with a sword [sharp knife]. Such an act was a sign of mourning and humiliation, even repentance.

One commentary pauses here to imagine the surprise as spectators gather around Ezekiel and watch him shave his head and beard with so cumbersome and instrument.

“What does it mean,“ they might ask? Of course Ezekiel is obliged to tell them of the coming destruction of Jerusalem (revealed further in the next few verses). It should be a time of mourning, humiliation, and hopefully repentance. Lord, thank you for revealing my own sinful past, and giving me the good sense to repent and reverse my course.

Losing Touch With The Holy

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

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.

A Living Choice

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May your living choice be a life well lived for Christ (Ezk 4:16,17). #TheLivingChoice #LifeInChrist

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.

Cow Patty Bread Recipe

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Never fear to have an honest conversation with God (Ezk 4:14,15). #Prayer #CowPattiesInTheKitchen #TheDigustOfSin

Cow dung mixed with straw was commonly used as fuel

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

In these verses, we see Ezekiel speaking himself for the first time, since the opening of this book. He has an honest conversation with God. The use of human excrement as fuel to bake bread would be the most vile and detestable means of doing what God had asked. Ezekiel is mortified at this.

As a priest, Ezekiel had carefully followed God‘s prescribed laws of cleansing for heart and life. Of all Ezekiel had seen and experienced so far in his call, this made the least sense – although he understood the meaning of it (vv12-13). Ezekiel‘s heart was not stubborn and rebellious. He was simply convicted about breaking God‘s laws (Lev 18:19; see Deu 23:12-14 and footnote).* At this point, God relents and substitutes cow dung (cow patties) for human dung.

Lord, I understand that you may require many things of me, but you will never require anything contrary to your word.

_________

* There is some disagreement over the issue of human excrement. There is no law specifically forbidding contact with it. However, due to the Deuteronomy text listed, some take the position that human excrement may fall into the category of contact with human bodily fluids. These are listed in the Leviticus text and are considered unclean.

Who Am I? Where am I?

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May our hearts hunger & thirst for righteousness (Psm 139:23,24; Mat 5:6).

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Five to six days into my reading of Ezekiel, I had to stop and ask myself the question, “How do I apply what I am hearing God say to me? Where do I fit myself in these messages from God?” I had to stop and consider these few following thoughts:

If I am able to say that I am a man who is essentially following God‘s direction, I might be able to say that I relate to Ezekiel (or to some remnant of the godly, who are left in Jerusalem). But, if I must say that I am a man who has essentially been or currently am being disobedient, then I must relate to God’s rebellious people.

WHO DO I THINK AM I?

If I relate with Ezekiel, then it is a matter of obedience for me. I must continue to have daily conversations with God, listen to what he tells me in his word and then boldly carry out his instructions, no matter how difficult. I must ask, “Am I willing to follow God? How far would I go to proclaim God‘s truth?”

If I relate to those who have been disobedient to God, then I must stare into these prophetic words of Ezekiel, hear the truth of what God tells me about my sin/defilement, repent and turn back to him or suffer the consequences. Here I must ask, “Am I recalcitrant? How far have I gone, how far am I willing to go into sin before yielding to God‘s truth?“

WHERE DO I THINK I AM?

At times, I may come close to following Ezekiel‘s example. But I have certainly also had my times of extreme wayward behavior. God has had to deal harshly with me.

If I am honest, I would have to put myself in between the two ends of this spectrum – somewhere between obedient and recalcitrant. The questions for me daily are, “Where do I want to be on that spectrum? Am I seeking after righteousness? What am I willing to do to get there? Does God still communicate with me and I with him?” If I am still on speaking terms with God then there is still hope, mercy and grace for me.

This is all tied to that process we call “sanctification”. So, I am always in a state of growth. If I am sincerely walking in the Spirit I am not fulfilling the desires of the sinful nature (Gal 5:16-17). I am always growing and moving upward not down, forward not back. “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (ICo ‭15‬:‭57‬).

Detestable

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May we experience a deep consciousness and rejection of sin (Ezk 4:8-13). #Repentance #TurnFullyTogod #DoNotIgnoreSin

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

During the times of Ezekiel‘s prophesying, he will be tied/bound with rope portraying Israel’s captivity. There will be no escape until the days of their destruction are complete. He is again a “living prophecy“ to the people.

To prepare for his living prophecy scene, he is to gather specified ingredients to bake bread periodically during his days of interaction with prophetic preaching (vv4–6). He is to bake the bread over human dung and eat it (vv12). Detestable in the eyes of Jews! This was to portray how God’s people will suffer defilement in their days of captivity in a gentile land of profane people (Babylon).

Lord, these readings lead me to a deep consciousness and rejection of sin’s misery.

Living Example

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Seek to demonstrate God’s grace with your life (Ezk 4:7). #UnderstandGod’sWord #God’sWordInLife

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

I am familiar with what they call a “living nativity scene.“ That is similar to what Ezekiel is doing here. He is acting out prophecy. He is a “living prophecy scene.”

Ezekiel will lay out a model of Jerusalem as under siege (vv1-3). He is then to emulate the people as bearing the weight of their sin (vv4–6). In verse 7 Ezekiel, while laying on his side, portrays God by “baring his arm” (a sign of readiness for drastic action – Isa 52:10) and prophesying the destruction of Jerusalem, to those already captive in Babylon.

This living prophecy scene is presumably observed by those coming by his quarters (as one might drive by a living nativity at Christmas).

Lord, may my life be a living example, a “living letter” that points to God’s grace (2Co 3:2,3).

Window To Conversations With God

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May your conversations with God yield the intended result (Ezk 4:7,8).

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

It is a little hard to picture Ezekiel doing all the things as God directed if he was tied up the entire time (v8). So one has to imagine that Ezekiel was carrying out these symbolic activities, 1) at chosen times when there were people around to observe his activities and hear him prophesy destruction (v12); and 2) as he was himself carrying out these living prophecies in public, he was living a normal life in private and preparing for the public activity.

I don’t want to get caught up in the “form” of what Ezekiel was to do. I want to understand God’s “motives.” This passage is not only about Ezekiel’s activity. It is a window into his ongoing conversations with God about that activity (v14). Often, God gives instructions but gives us latitude in how we carry them out. Lord, may my conversations with you produce their intended outcome.

Grievous Sin

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

May we understand how deeply sin grieves the heart of God (Ezk 4:4-6).

#God’sGriefOverSin #RepentOfSin

The symbolism, revolving around the facts and meaning of “390 days” and “40 days” (a day for every year of sin), are very difficult historically, textually and interpretively. Biblical scholars don’t all agree. What is clear is that both Israel and Judah have committed deeply grievous sins against God (made clear in v3) for a long time.

For this purpose Ezekiel portrays Israel as having borne the consequence of their sin (symbolically). The weight their sin is understood as heavily on them as Ezekiel lays down: first on one side for “390 days” (head pointed north towards Israel) then, “40 days” on the other (head pointed south towards Judah).

What is portrayed here is the seriousness of sin against God. It further shows the lengths to which God will go to convey his deep anguish, concern over and correction of sin. Lord, may this old sentry’s heart remain steadfast in its stand against personal sin.

Sieges of the Heart (Pt3)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

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.

Sieges of the Heart (Pt2)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

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.

Sieges of the Heart (Pt1)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

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).