Exalt the Giver, Not the Gift

(Ezk 28:11-19)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May our focus ever be on the giver of favor (God), not the gifts of favor (eg. Ezk 28:11-19). #JesusHighAndLiftedUp #ExaltTheLivingKing

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

This has always been a fascinating passage to me.

Ezekiel describes the nature of king of Tyre. He was apparently so evil and arrogant that God paints a picture of him as Satan himself; a man motivated totally by evil. In this description we are given a look behind the curtain of the unseen world, and the one who leads it, Satan (Eph 6:12).

Satan was a creature created by God and was in the garden; more cunning than any other animal in the field (Gen 3:1). This creature was beautifully adorned. He was an highly appointed angelic guardian (see Ezk 1:13; 10:1-9, et al) with access to God (Zec 3:1; Job 1:6,7).

But this created being of God was banished from his high place because of pride (Isa 14:12-15; 2Pe 2:4; 1Ti 3:6; Rev 12:9). The fate of the king of Tyre was the same as that of Satan.*

Lord, may my focus ever be on God alone, high, and lifted up; he must increase, I must decrease (Jhn 3:30).

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* if God chooses to favor you in some special way, remember, it’s not because you’re so bright, but because God is so sovereign. He can humble you in short order. Your special gift is for his glory and purposes, not your own.

Creative Juice

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Stand in awe of our creator God (Psm 104:24-30). #AwesomeGod #CreatorGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

How creative is our God. I see in his creation the smallest amoeba to the great whales of the sea. All are created with a living purpose – contribute to a vast ecosystem.

The variety of creatures in the sea reveal the creative juice of God who projects purpose, even a little humor.

Day five of creation (Gen 1:20-23) filled the skies with birds and the seas with fish, all of stunning variety. All of creation reveals the richness, goodness and wisdom of God. Lord, our world points to the vast character of our God in all of nature. I am humbled.

Perfect Plan Day One

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Give thanks for all God‘s perfectly planned provision (Psm 104:10-18). #AwesomeGod #BeyondUnderstanding #FaithfulProvider #AllPraiseAndThanksDueHim

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

It is easy to pass over these scriptures as a bit mundane. I take so for granted the natural world around me. But I must stop here and acknowledge the other-worldly understanding and scope of God‘s wisdom. Creating this world, God left nothing to chance. God created this world perfect ON DAY ONE (actually day 3 – Gen 1:9-13).

God provided for every fish, bird, animal and man – water, trees, plants and vegetation. He wasn’t making adjustments on the fly. The world was amazingly created to suit every form of life. Lord, I can never, shall never, offer adequate praise for who and all you are. But I shall thank you for all your provision.

World In Balance

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Give to the Lord the reverence due him (Psm 104:5-9). #PlanetEarth #AweAndReverence

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The wording of this poetic account of creation really gives me reason to pause, reflect. The world, this orbed earth upon which I live, is described as set on some kind of foundation… never to be moved. Chaotic waters blanketed the whole earth. Into that chaos God’s thundering voice tamed those waters.

The waters were ordered by God to recede to their boundaries fixed by him. (Gen 1:6–9). What was left were the beautiful mountains and valleys that we enjoy today – this was day two of creation. Lord, such words, put me in a posture of awe and reverence for you.