May you fully experience the joy of knowing God (Jer 31:31-34). #KnowingGod #GoodNews
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
What good news! Jeremiah introduces the “New Covenant.“ It appears to look forward to the coming of Christ. Not only Judah and Israel will benefit from the New Covenant, so will the Gentiles.
No more law written in stone (Heb 8:6). But the law of God will be inscribed on hearts of flesh. All men will be offered atonement/forgiveness of sin and enjoy a personal relationship with God (Jer 29:11; 32:38-40). Lord, my heart rejoices to be included in the family of God.
May you live long in God’s goodness and mercy (Jer 31:23-28). #GodIsGood #GodIsMerciful #AJustMercy
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
When God disciplines his people, his intent is restoration and reconciliation. Israel and Judah will be restored, their fortunes restored, their land repopulated, and God will meet their every need. A new relationship between God and his children will be established. Nothing will be the same for them.
What follows next will be a discussion of this New Covenant. But for me right now, I am reminded of all the good that God has returned to me in the day of my visitation from God. His goodness and mercy have no end. Lord, may I live daily I. Your goodness and mercy
Trust that a God will do all he says he will on your behalf (Jer 31:16-22). #TrustGod #SurrenderToGod #FollowGodAlone #NoTurningBack
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
I have lived the words of this passage. [if you have not read this passage, I beg you to read it carefully]
The Lord had brought severe discipline in my life. I had turned from the God of my childhood. I had foolishly taken a path that led to shame and dishonor.
I was now “exiled” ten thousand miles away from home and all that was familiar to me. I was in the war torn land of Vietnam and God showed up in my guard tower over the Saigon River.
It was December 28, 1968. While I was standing watch God began to break my heart for the life I’d been living, the sins I’d committed. I knew things had to change. In my brokenness, I was repentant. I pleaded for God to turn my heart back to him and restore me.
God said, “You’re still my son. I have loved you with an everlasting love. I have repeatedly disciplined you, but you have ignored me. I still love you. I will have mercy on you. But you must choose here and now who you will serve and wander no longer. I am going to do a new thing in your life. But this is your last call.“ He said a few other things to me as well.
I surrendered fully to God in the morning watch. The pathway back to God was well marked. I never wandered again from following him. He has been my faithful Savior and friend. He has been faithful to his promise.
Lord, many decades have passed since that night in 1968. I’ve never forgotten our conversation. Though I deserve nothing, you have done and continue to do incredible new things in and through me. I am eternally grateful to you Lord.
May your heart be quickly moved towards repentance (Jer 31:2-6). #Repent #TurnNowToGod
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Here is an abiding truth: those coming out of a barren land of sin and destruction will find rest and peace with God. God reminds his people that he has always loved them with a love that is steadfast (hesed) and everlasting.
God will restore to himself those who turn again to him in sincere repentance. They will once again go to worship with hearts full of joy and expectation of eternal peace. This is the promise God makes to Israel and to all men. Lord, may my heart be moved towards you.
Have faith in the truth of God’s word (Jer 30:18-22). #TrustGod’sPlan #Prophecy
Hope From The Rubble
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Jeremiah leaves room here for a future and a hope. Though God‘s people have been in captivity, in exile for sin, they will return home again. But not as soon as the false prophets predicted (Jer 29:8-11). It would be 70 years in Babylon. Then a return happened under Ezra, Nehemiah and Zerubbabel.
There would be joy, singing, and thanksgiving. God’s people would prosper again. The nation would arise from the rubble. They would honor God again and he them. All of these things have happened. More is yet to come. Lord, my heart takes hope and courage in the fulfillment of prophecy.
Repent and return to God while there is still time (Ezk 24:10-14). #Repent #TurnNowToGod #Time’sUp
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
The people of God’s own choosing (corrupt & rebellious) will experience the fires of his judgment. The city of Jerusalem itself (the “iron pot”) will also know the white hot fires of judgment and cleansing.
God had given his people every opportunity for cleansing and renewal, but they resisted. God’s mercy prolongs his judgment. But times of judgment for unrepented sin will come (2 Peter 3:8-10ff). If America resists God’s call to repent and return to him, she too will know God’s judgment.
Lord, I am reminded of my need to repent and turn to you at every opportunity.
Will you plead for revival & awakening (Ezk 24:7-10)? #Repent #TurnNowToGod #revival #Awakening
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
This passage points back to 22:1-16). I am rereading that passage. It is nauseating to read this description of sin and depravity among God’s people. The reference to blood spilt on the rocks and not the sand or ground reveals that there is not even a hint of covering up their depravity. They are a long way gone.*
So it will be that God‘s judgment will be just as clearly seen by all men. God‘s wrath on unrepentant sin is now a full-blown fire, consuming those who felt they were so safe. Oh Lord, my heart, my heart, is so prone to wander a long way. Lord, my soul aches for revival, renewal and awakening.
__________
* Red Steagall sings A Long Way From Montana; song about a Texas cowboy who lost his innocence out on the trail.
A long way it is from Montana
To west Texas whether by hoof or by rail
To innocence lost somewhere out on
The trail
And my heart is lonesome and longing
my heart hears a boyhood hymn calling
From a church down the valley comes this
Old refrain
Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling..come home, come home.
YES, IT CAN BE A LONG WAY FROM WHERE WE HAVE FALLEN. BUT NOT AS FAR AS FROM OUR KNEES TO THE GROUND.
Cultivate a heart that is wholly devoted to God alone (Ezk 23:36-44). #TurnNowToGod #Repent #FalseWorship #PrayForAmerica #Idols #Idolatry
When Men Drift from Jehovah God
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
These words of Ezekiel could not have been more shameless regarding the twin cities, the capital cities of Samaria in Israel and Jerusalem in Judah. A parable of twisted sisters: they committed spiritual adultery and murder.
They worshiped pagan idols and reveled in these practices. They sacrificed beautiful innocent children in the fires of Baal. Then they went to to the temple to “worship“ Jehovah God. This was detestable and a defilement before God.
I can’t help but think of we who live ungodly lives all week long, then come to church to “worship” on Sunday. Such life styles offend God. OMG, my heart is deeply disturbed reading this passage at my own propensity towards spiritual drift.
Lord, give me a heart that is wholly devoted to you.
May your heart thirst for God; get there quick as you can (Psm 42:1-3a). #SeekGodWithAWholeHeart#ObeyYourThirst #ThirstyForGod
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
There is an ad for a power drink that beckons athletes to, “Obey Your Thirst“. It promotes an energy drink that satisfies the thirst and refreshes nutrients in the body. The Psalmist had said this ages ago. “As a deer pants after water so my heart thirsts for God.“
The spirit of the Psalmist within him longs for that “living water“ that only God can give. This living water refreshes the soul and renews the spirit of man like no other. Jesus tells us that he is that living water (Jhn 4:14; 7:37–38). The Psalmist can’t get to God soon enough.
Lord, I bring my old broken and thirsty heart to you today.
Confess your sin; know the joy of forgiveness (Psm 32:1-5). #GoodConscience #ConfessSin #RepentTowardsGod
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
When I sin egregiously against another I hope to be forgiven. Yet even that forgiveness may not relieve the guilt I feel, or remove the sin from the mind of the offended. BUT God…forgives my sin, he puts it out of his sight and memory and he clears my conscience of all guilt.
When I refuse to confess* my sin, it weighs me down. It turns against me – consequences/discipline will break me down and sap my strength. When I confess* my sin and expose my guilt, God is faithful to forgive, forget and free me of all guilt (see also Rom 4:4-8; 1Jn 1:9,10). I am able to face the truth and any lingering consequences of sin.
Lord, may my heart confess sin and know the joy of forgiveness.
______
* To confess sin is to agree with God about my rebellion against him.
Surrender all to Christ today (Psm 25:1). #ISurrenderAll #JesusIsLord
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
“Oh Lord, I give my life to you.“ These words impact my heart like the bat that strikes a home-run ball out of the park. December 28, 1968, a young 21 year-old recruit, standing sentry in a guard tower over the Saigon River, surrendered to God. *
After many years of running from God, this, now 80-year-old sentry, laid down his weapons of this world and surrendered his life to the Lordship of Christ. I never looked back; been serving Christ now these 58 years. I would not change anything.
Lord, thank you for relentlessly pursuing this old sentry, then persistently leading me.
Walk in peace and inner contentment with God (Psm 4:4-8). #WalkInSurrenderToGod
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
When coming to God for help, make certain you come in the right spirit. Take time to examine the motivation of your heart (think on it a bit). No amount of prayers can overcome a disobedient heart focused only on external happiness.
The psalmist knows there is much more to be had beyond the externals. It is the inner joy that comes from knowing God and walking daily with him. That kind of inner joy and peace will give you confidence in God to keep you safe. Lord, you are the keeper of our inner peace and joy.
May we as a people, a nation, search our hearts for any unconfessed sin (Ezk 21:8-13).
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
“A sword, a sword”*: Ezekiel returns to the imagery of the sword of God‘s judgment. This sword is being prepared for the executioner (Babylon). Repetition here is emphatic. The sword is being sharpened and polished for judgment.
“You laugh at these words now. It will not be so funny when God‘s judgment falls on the people of God“. Ezekiel cries out and wails at the knowledge of God‘s terrible swift judgment. Ezekiel pounds his thighs in grief and alarm at the coming swift slaughter of God‘s rebellious people. There will be no chance of survival.
It is not for me to point a finger at Judah and find satisfaction in their just desserts. I must ask, “Lord, search my own heart for unconfessed sin.”
__________
* This may have been part of a sword-dance familiar to the people.
Pray for a national brokenness of heart towards God (Ezk 21:6,7). #Brokeness #Repent #TurnNowToGod
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
As Ezekiel is pronouncing the complete destruction of Judah, God instructs him to show visible signs of mourning. He’s not faking this. He is truly brokenhearted publicly and openly. God instructs: when the people ask, “Why are you so brokenhearted?“, he would tell them why.
The news of the total destruction of their home land and Jerusalem, the city of God, would be so horrible that all the exiles in Babylon will be broken and mourn with deep emotion. They would faint at the news. Even the boldest and strongest will melt with fear and agony. It will be so. The Sovereign Lord had ordained it.
Lord, give me a heart of brokenness for my country, my church, family, and friends.
Acknowledge, revere the faithfulness of God (Ezk 20:39-44). #GodIsFaithful #ReturnNowToGod #DisciplineCorrectsAndRestores
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
In this passage lies the supreme promise of redemption and restoration. At the end of the Babylonian exile Israel will return to her homeland. This promise is based on God‘s faithfulness, not Israel’s (v42). It will be a partial fulfillment of this prophecy. There’s more to come.
A new day will dawn for Israel – not yet fulfilled, but will be. Israel will fully lament the evil she has done. She will repent. The Lord will be recognized as her God. The nations will recognize God‘s holiness, honor and glory. Those days of complete fulfillment still lie ahead today.
Lord, you are a promise keeping lsovereign. Thank you for your faithfulness to those you call your people.
May we live in this world without acting like the world (Ezk 20:30-31). #WalkWithGod #InTheWorldButNotOfIt
Adapting to your environment?
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
The bulk of this chapter details how Israel, God‘s chosen people, went off the rails time and time again. They disobeyed God‘s commands, rejected his decrees, flagrantly ignored God’s Sabbath rest and they went about sacrificing their children on alters of fire to other gods. Despicable!
Ezekiel makes reference to idol worship 17 times. Verse 32 implies that the elders speaking to Ezekiel (v1), had syncretized their worship of God with many other gods. Jehovah was just one of many. They had become and were becoming more like the culture around them. God was abandoning his people to the consequences of their sin (vv 25,26; Rom 1:22-25).
Lord, may my life reflect you; may I not grow accustomed to [be a reflection of] the culture around me.
Trust God to sustain you even in times of correction. #FullyRelyOnGod #TrustInGodAlone #GodsWordIsTrue
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Is God the third and greatest eagle in this passage? He will provide wayward Israel with prosperity and security like no other. Neither Babylon nor Egypt could provide for Israel. These words give God‘s people assurance in the midst of corrective judgment. God will restore the land and reveal his glory.
God would pluck a branch from the tall cedar tree and replant it on Israel’s tallest mountain. This cedar (God’s kingdom) will become a majestic tree, a shelter to many nations, peoples (an allusion to the coming Messiah). The nations will know that God is a sovereign God. He causes nations to rise and fall. He alone gives life.
Lord, this old sentry may take heart in any remedial judgment. You will not forsake me.
May we pay attention to the reality of God’s call to repent (Ezk 12:2,3). #TurnNowToGod #Repent #ListenToGod
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Several years have passed since these Jews in Babylon had been exiled from Jerusalem. They were still arrogantly believing that God would rescue them, that Israel’s armies would deliver them. They believed false prophets who said they would return to their homeland soon. God had not yet been able to penetrate their prideful hearts.
So God calls upon Ezekiel once again to act out the painful reality of their circumstances. In a dramatic fashion, Ezekiel was to, 1) role play the part of the exiles leaving Jerusalem (vv 3-6); 2) shake and tremble while eating and drinking water (vv 17-20). Lord, I see here the great lengths to which you will go to call your people (me) repentance.
Join your voice to the grand Course of Creation (Psm 148:2-12). #PraiseTheLord #HeavenlyChorus #ChorusOfCreation
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Who is this grand chorus that thunders its praises to Jehovah God? Roll the credits.
Voices above the heavens: angels, the armies of heaven, sun, moon, stars, skies and vapor.
Voices from earth and below: every ocean creature, lightening, hail, snow, clouds, wind, weather, mountains, trees, wild animals, domesticated animals, birds and scurrying little animals.
Voices of men: people, rulers, judges, young men and women, old men and women, children.
All the voices of God‘s creation sing praises to him as one voice. Lord, it is my great honor to join this grand Chorus of Creation singing praises to you.
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 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.
Come early in repentance for sin to God (Ezk 6:8-10). #Repentance #TurnNowToGod
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
In the midst of Ezekiel’s message of war, destruction, famine, and exile there is a word of REPRIEVE. Though God will bring death and devastation upon his people, a remnant will be delivered through this judgment. This remnant will escape destruction but be scattered and exiled.
The remnant will repent when they realize how good God has been to them and how hurt God has been by their unfaithfulness to him. They will see God for his love and grace and turn back to him. Lord, you brought me through my exile in 1968*, leading me mercifully back to you.
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.
May your heart & voice never cease to offer praises to our God. (Psm 135:1-4).
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Lord, I worship you. I lift high the name of the Lord God, Jehovah. May my words, thoughts and actions towards you resound in the courts of heaven.
I come this morning, celebrating your beautiful name with music (Open The Eyes Of My Heart; I Surrender All). Thank you for choosing me and grafting me into your chosen people (Rom 11:17). Your blessings never cease.
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 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.
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).
The Prayer Sentry 