God’s Greatest Delight

Surrender and God will fight your battles (Isa 29:5–8). #GodWins #GodWillFightForYou https://www.bible.com/116/isa.29.5-6,8.nlt

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

When once the wayward, rebellious, child of God surrenders, his/her whimpers of repentance are heard from on high (v4). Then, like the father greeting the prodigal home from the far country of sin, God is first on the scene to help. This is the message of the prophets.

The enemies, the attackers, God had used to discipline his child will be crushed. Their course of pain and suffering will come to a sudden end. They will be driven away by heaven’s armies. They will “vanish like a vision in the night.“ It is God‘s greatest delight to vanquish the enemy of the child of God. Thank you Lord, for hearing in the night this sentry’s prayer of surrender so many years ago.

FOR AMERICA: Lord, I pray that my beloved nation may surrender her heart fully to you. May she know the fires of revival & spiritual awakening from sea to shining sea. May the power of heaven’s armies be used to deliver her from the enemies that would seek to destroy her.

A Time To Turn

May our hearts remain open and repentant toward God (Isa 27:1-6). #SwordOfTheLord #TodayIsTheDayOfSalvation #TurnToGod https://www.bible.com/97/isa.27.1-6.msg

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The day will come when the terrible swift sword of the Lord will fell the horrible evil monster of sin. Every abuse and rebellion known to man will be struck down. The wicked will know the swift and certain justice of God.

God will restore his people, those who suffered for their own rebellion against God (5:5-7). His people will produce fruit again and f Bt. V l nothing will overcome them. Salvation will come to those who turn to God for help and make peace with him.

“Now [today] is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation“ (2Co 6:2). “Today, if you hear his voice do not harden your hearts“ (Heb 3:15). May the Lord grip the heart if America in repentance toward him. Lord, may the heart of this old sentry remain tender and repentant toward you.

To Live Again

Be quick to recognize your sin and humbly repent (Isa 26:16-19). #Repent #TurnToGod #NationalRepentance https://www.bible.com/97/isa.26.16-19.msg

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

When once one has seen God as the only remedy for deliverance (vv12-14); after one has spuriously exhausted all to save him/herself; when one recognizes the extreme distress of oppressing circumstances as discipline from the Lord, there is a halting silence and shame. There is the realization of sin in the presence of a holy God, then a mournful prayer for help, for grace and forgiveness.

To the joy of the remorseful heart comes the life giving grace of God. It comes down like dew refreshes the earth. It revives and renews the life of the penitent one. Whether it be an individual, a church, a city or a nation, if one dies, that one shall live again. O Lord, thank you for so great a deliverance as you brought to me, so great a sinner.

The War Is Over

Trust God to fight for you, win for you, and destroy your every enemy (Isa 26:12-15). #TheLordVictorious https://www.bible.com/116/isa.26.12-15.nlt

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Here is the acknowledgment before God that in days past other lords have ruled our hearts (my heart). Now, in the present time, it is Jehovah God alone whom we (I) worship. There was and still is, a great spiritual battle going on for the souls of men. Invite the Lord into your fight.

Those in Christ can say, “The gods we served before are dead and gone, never to return!” The Lord himself fought those battles and destroyed the fiendish under-lords in spiritual realms. They once fought for control of our lives (my life). They are now long forgotten. Jesus has made of us a great nation (Spiritual Israel, the Church). Lord, my strength and hope is in you. You are my victory to the end.

Before The Break Of Dawn

Earnestly seek after God in the night watches (Isa 26:9-12). #AlertToGod #GodInTheNightWatches https://www.bible.com/116/isa.26.9-12.nlt

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The lives of men will not be changed by providing a good environment. Although, that may help enormously. But even the most gracious of divine kindnesses, which God may display, are ignored by many. They take no notice of God’s daily mercies. They are taken for granted.

Men seem far more likely to respond better to judgment then to blessing. Judgment brings me face-to-face with my own inadequacies; my need to surrender to God. To this aging sentry this becomes far more evident. So, for me Lord, it is in the morning watches, before the dawn breaks, that I will earnestly seek you. In you I will find peace and accomplishment.

Election Prediction

Let your faith not be shaken by the affairs of men (Isa 25:6,8-11). #ComeLordJesus #JesusIsLord https://www.bible.com/116/isa.25.6,8-11.nlt

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The affairs of men will not change God‘s plan.

It is clear that Isaiah‘s view here is apocalyptic and messianic. “In that day,“ is the Day of the Lord. “In that day,” the Lord will rule in richness and abundance. Death will be banished, a thing of the past. Elections? No bearing.

The cause of all tears will be eliminated – hurt, pain, suffering, sickness, persecutions – GONE! God has spoken! The people will shout, “YES! This is the One [Jesus Christ] in whom we have trusted. Finally, every enemy of God will be forever gone. Vanquished. Done. Elections? No bearing.

Lord, my rejoicing and confident heart does not even begin to express my inner excitement at the outcome of your promised return. Elections? No bearing.

Harbinger In The American City

Are your ears open to the cries of the city (Isa 24:4-6)? #GodForTheCity https://www.bible.com/116/isa.24.4-6.nlt

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

What keeps you awake at night? Securing your family, your home, your wealth? Your life? In God’s judgment none of these things will be safe.

The crisis of our day is but a harbinger of what is to come. The Scriptures read like a current news story: “There is no new wine – [where are the voices for God’s word?]. Joy is silenced. THE CITY WRITHES IN CHAOS; every HOME IS LOCKED to keep out intruders. MOBS GATHER in the streets, crying out for wine. Joy has turned to gloom. Gladness has been banished from the land. THE CITY IS LEFT IN RUINS, it’s gates battered down” (24:7-12). Sometimes I read Scripture and cannot believe my own eyes. Today we are seeing a picture of what God’s judgment will look like.

This old sentry has stood his watch many a day and night, near 75 times around the sun. From my watchtower I have not seen such chaos inside my own walls, in my own streets and political landscape as seen today. This sentry cries out in the Morning Watches, “Lord, enlarge my heart for the city. Much of my days are past, but my heart breaks for my city. I will do whatever I can.”

“Praise be to the LORD, for he showed his wonderful love to me when I was in a besieged city. In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from your sight!” Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help. . . Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.” (Psm 31:21–22,24)

“And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.” (Jer‬ ‭29:7‬)

For the serious reader: Phenomenal article on the heart of God for the heart of the city, written by Cory Seibel, Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministries at Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary and Worship Pastor at Bethany Mennonite Brethren Church in Fresno, California. https://directionjournal.org/39/1/heart-of-god-in-heart-of-city-missional.html

Behind The Curtain, GOD

Put your faith in a sovereign God who works his will through the affairs of men (Isa 18:3;21:8,9). #ComeLordJesus #JesusWillReign https://www.bible.com/116/isa.18.3.nlt https://www.bible.com/116/isa.21.8-9.nlt

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Praying through the ancient prophecies of Isaiah regarding all the godless nations surrounding Israel and Judah. Not an easy read. I was considering the fact that EVERY PROPHECY over every nation has been FULFILLED (Isa 14-23).

God is a sovereign, who providentially works his will through all the affairs of men. I have every reason to believe that the prophecies of the future (Isa 24-27, New Testament, et al.) will be fulfilled, just as they were in those ancient of days. My sentinel faith rests in an eternal Commander who seeks the ultimate good and will destroy all evil.

“Chopped” Pt2: America In Crisis

Engage life with a surrendered heart to God (2Ki 17:13-15). #Judgment #TurnToGod https://www.bible.com/116/2ki.17.13-15.nlt

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

In a popular Food Network show, chefs compete to be the “Chopped Champion.“ Every round ends with a critique (judgment) of their food. One chef is eliminated. A judge explains the critique to the chef and says, “For these reasons, we had to chop you.“

In 2 Kings 17, God explains his reasons for judgment. They are Israel’s flagrant idolatry, obstinate disobedience and her rejection of God. She had sold her soul to worship of the stars (astrology), child sacrifice and other occult practices. “For these reasons,“ the cleaver of God‘s judgment had fallen on Israel.

Is America facing elimination? Why would she? The answer: she has forgotten/left behind the foundational principles and Biblical values upon which she was built. For this she will pay a heavy price. Like Israel and Judah of old, she will find herself in a “captivity” of her own making. She will find herself in perilous times. She will find herself dealing with the God who loves her and set her apart as exceptional.

America, my beloved nation, is in a moral melee. Her moral clarity is on the chopping block. The cleaver of God‘s judgment is certain to fall. She has leapt over the precipice of moral restraint and is in a free fall of decadent behavior.

What kind of behavior? The killing of innocent babies in the womb. Rampant immoral sexual behavior and homosexuality that is now the “new normal.” Violence in our streets. Public shootings – malls, schools, theaters and homes. Widespread use of drugs and alcohol. Politicians and other leaders ignore the people, lie, cover up their misdeeds and participate in all manner of ugly and shameless partisan vitriol…and so much more.

Further more, God has been rejected by the avant-garde. They wish to remove all traces of God from schools, government, and the marketplace. The church and Christianity has been pushed to the margins of the culture, ignored as an influence in public discourse, mocked and ridiculed as extreme. Soft persecution is here. A rise of more intense persecution may be expected.

God did not make a mistake when ordaining America as a light, a beacon of freedom and liberty against the tyranny of kings and dictators. I believe that America may expect God to orchestrate all of our circumstances (good and bad) in His providence in order to bring her back to faith in Him.

All of our hope is in Him. As a sentry on the wall of intercession it is my duty to earnestly pray and sound a clear warning. I pray for a repentant America and that God will raise up young leaders and Americans that love him and love this country.

“Chopped” Pt1; A Choice To Make

Heed God’s warnings and repent [turn around] (2Ki 17:22,23). #Judgment #TurnToGod https://www.bible.com/116/2ki.17.22-23.nlt

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

God does the same with Israel. She had been warned (v13). God then explains that she has been flagrantly idolatrous (vv9,10,15,16), obstinately disobedient (vv12,15,16) and rejected God (v14,15). She had sold her soul to worship of the stars (astrology), child sacrifice and other occult practices (v17). “For these reasons,“ (v18) the cleaver of God‘s judgment had fallen on them.

Lord, may the heart of this sentry remain sensitive to your Spirit. May I listen to your warnings, change quickly and alert others clearly.

God’s Love Is Tough Love

Remember that God will discipline those he loves (2Kg 18:9-12). #ToughLove https://www.bible.com/116/2ki.18.9-12.nlt

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

During the days of King Hezekiah in Judah, Isaiah the prophet is active in his role as conscience of the nation. We are reminded of this in 2Ch 32:20–22, when Isaiah stands with Hezekiah in prayer against the oncoming Asyrian armies. God fights and wins that battle for Judah.

But in the northern kingdom of Israel, Assyria has already lead them into captivity. It happened to King Hoshea in the sixth year of Hezekiah‘s reign. Why? Because of their gross rejection of the covenant with the Lord their God. The Assyrians were used by God to bring judgment on his people. Isaiah will have more to say about this. Lord, your sentry would be lost without your loving discipline.

“Revival Held Over”

Believe God will do far beyond what we ask or think (2Ch 30:23,25–27). #GreatExpectations #BelieveGod https://www.bible.com/116/2ch.30.23,25-27.nlt

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

When a godly leader (King Hezekiah) followed God‘s leadership, went against conventional wisdom, good things happened. He called the people to return to God (v6). After a week long celebration of God‘s redemption (revival) the people decided to EXTEND THE CELEBRATION another week.

There was great purification from sin, people and priests were getting right with God. The revival exceeded anything ever seen before. In the end, God made good on the promise of 2Ch 7:14. Healing was on the way. God heard their prayer from heaven (v 27). Lord, turning my sentinel’s heart to you, I am prepared for you to exceed all my expectations (Eph 3:20).

Getting Our House In Order

Confess sin daily; stay pure before God (2Ch 30:21-25). #ConfessSin https://www.bible.com/116/2ch.30.21-22,25.nlt

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Foreigners in Jerusalem and the nations of Judah and Israel repented of sin, returned to God. God showed up in revival. For “seven days” they celebrated the “Festival Of Unleavened Bread” (FOUB), a remembrance of the deliverance of God’s people out of Egypt. The Israelites were told (Exo 12) to make unleavened bread (flour and water) in preparation to be delivered hastily from Egypt (symbol of bondage and sin). Seven days equals the distance between Egypt and the Red Sea (symbol of deliverance).

Leavened bread is symbolic of sin. Just a little, over time, will affect the whole loaf. Unleavened bread is a symbol of purity, sincerity and truth (2Co 5:7,8). In short, the FOUB is a joyous celebration of redemption from the bondage of sin. It is about getting my house in order; ridding my life of sin. Lord, I am in daily need of cleansing from sins that beset me (1Jn 1:9). Lord, America will perish in sin without revival, confession of sin.