1 Act Play – The Meaning

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:  

Speak the truth of God by your words and actions (Ezk 12:8-13).  #SpeakForGod #WitnessForChrist #ActLikeAFollowerOfJesus 

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Ezekiel‘s pantomime, which he likely did not understand as he did it, is explained. The “rebellious“ Israelites wanted to know the meaning of Ezekiel‘s pantomime. The Lord says to tell them, “This is what the Lord is saying.“ Your mime is a message to the last king of Judah, Zedekiah in Jerusalem and the people there. 

Ezekiel’s actions (vv 3-7) reflect what will soon happen to all of them. The king and those remaining in Judah will be driven into exile as captives. Zedekiah himself will escape Jerusalem incognito through a hole in the city wall at night, taking only what he can carry. The Lord speaks truth through Ezekiel’s actions to those around him. 

Lord, may I be willing to speak the truth of God in my words and actions.*

__________

* Just as Jonah was a sign to the people of things to come, Ezekiel’s pantomime was a sign of things to come.

It has been my habit following my Morning Watch time to stand and pray in my driveway (usually between 6-7 AM). Many neighbors drive past me and wave. Most have stopped to greet me; even ask me to pray for them. I let them know that I am standing my post and praying for them. After a brief greeting, I will pray a short prayer over them as they leave. What an honor. Others may stop also: dog walkers, joggers, Amazon and school bus drivers. I share Christ and pray as I have opportunity. I’ve done that for years.

The Lord spoke to me this morning saying, that every day as you stand in your driveway you are a sign to those around you of your belief in God and love for them as neighbors.

1 Act Play – The Set Up

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:  

May we be alert to see and hear God when he speaks (Ezk 12:3-7). #TurnNowToGod #Repent #ListenToGod 

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

By now (six years into the Babylonian exile) Ezekiel has a powerful reputation for his dramatic displays of God‘s penetrating truth.

In this first of two one-man vaudevillian style acts or mimes, Ezekiel plays the role of an exile. Presumably Ezekiel would lay out the things an exile would carry leaving their home. 

As a crowd gathered before him he would pack those things in a bag and leave his home to go somewhere else. He would do this in front of the people. The point was that the people might understand that their exiled plight was from the hand of God. 

Lord, may my eyes be open to the many creative ways you communicate truth around me. 

Mime This

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:  

Don’t underestimate God’s instructions to you (Ezk 12:3). #FollowGod #SpeakForGod  #GoForGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Ezekiel must be the first street mime. That is what Ezk 12:3-6 reminds me of; not his first dramatic reenactment either (see Ezl 4:1-8). There are others. 

Reading this morning I could envision a street mime on some crowded city sidewalk acting out a drama. God said to me, “Every day I send you out into the streets of your world. There, you are to be a one-man dramatic act, revealing to others in your world, my great love for them. Will you go?

Lord, how can I, like Ezekiel, not say, “YES LORD!

Extra-Ordinary

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:  

May you pay ExtraOrdinary attention to God’s word (Ezk 12:1,2).  #Extraordinary #ListenToGod #FollowGodFaithfully 

Extra-Ordinary

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Ezekiel is a man of extraordinary (EO) proportions. He was called in an EO way (visions seeing God on his throne, Ch 1-3). He has been directed to act out the prophecies of God in EO and dramatic ways (Ch 4-8). He experienced the EO departure of God from the Temple in Jerusalem (Ch 9-11). 

But the people of God were  extraordinarily indifferent and rebellious towards God. Here, Ezekiel will receive two EO messages from God to deliver to the people. He will carry out God‘s wishes faithfully and fully. Lord, may I be such a man as Ezekiel; may I see you, listen to you and follow you faithfully. 

Eruption of Praise

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:  

May the deep wells of your soul erupt with praise to God (Psm 148:12-14).  #PraiseTheLord #ReasonToPraise #ExaltTheNameOfGod 

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

May all men (young and old; birth to end of days) give praise to the Lord. When the forces of nature are right, a geyser will erupt in glorious fashion. May all men in the same way, lift their voices in an eruption of praise to God. His name alone will be exalted above the heavens. 

Let the people say, “O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is the name in all the earth “ (Psm 8:1). His glory resides in and above the earth (Psm 113:4). The Lord gives his holy ones reason to erupt in praises to him; he has made them strong. They are near to him and he to them (Eph 2:12,13).

PRAISE THE LORD! 

Lord, this old sentry has reason, days without end, to PRAISE & EXALT THE NAME OF OUR LORD!

The Chorus of Creation 

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:  

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.

A Heavenly Chorus Of Praise 

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:  

Let your voice be heard in thunderous praise to Jehovah God (Psm148:1).  #PraiseTheLord #HeavenlyChorus 

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Imagine the Holy Spirit as the great Chorister of the universe. Into the din of voices warming up to sing, the Chorister steps up onto a cosmic podium. His baton taps a heavenly music stand with the authority of a maestro. 

The voices, warmed and ready, immediately grow silent. The Chorister lifts his arms. Every voice awaits anxiously for their queue to sound out a thunderous, glorious hallelujah. A joyful praise to the Lord God of the heavens.

Lord, this old sentry offers one more voice of thunderous praise to you. 

God Is Good, all The Time, Every Time

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:  

Trust God fully to always act in your best interest (Psm 145:17-19).  #GodIsGood #TrustGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Who could ever claim that all their ways are righteous and good? But God does. In all his dealings with men he does what is best. He violates no right, he wrongs no man, he demands no unjust work. 

The Lord is near to all men. But he is especially near to those who call upon him in sincerity and truth. To those, he reveals himself. He fulfills their desire and hears their cry. He moves according to their need in all righteousness and mercy. 

Lord, may this prayer sentry trust you fully to hear me and act always in my best interest.

Wha’s Up?

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:  

May we lead every generation to know and follow Jesus* (Psm 145:11-13). #WitnessForChrist #GoIntoAllTheWorld #ShareChrist #PreachTheGospel #TheKingdomOfGodIsHere 

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Men will see/have seen the evidence of God‘s goodness, greatness, mercy, and how he governs in his kingdom. So they speak about it – proclaim its virtues and glory. They will site examples of God‘s power, mighty deeds and the glory of God‘s eternal reign. They will extol God’s faithful governance as gracious and good. 

Barnes’ Notes points out that men talk about that which is of great interest to them; things they wish to understand and pursue.

Believers talk about God‘s kingdom. They meditate on it. It is a part of their everyday, “Wha’s Up” conversations.** Lord, may I be engaged with daily conversations that “lead every generation to know and follow Jesus.”*

__________

* This is the mission statement of my church: CrossCreek Church, Colleyville, Texas, https//www.CrossCreekChurch.com

** Barnes, Albert. Barnes’ Notes on The Old & New Testaments, Psalms Vol lll, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Fifteenth Edition 1979, Pg 322. 

Stone Cold

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:  

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.

Struck Dead

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:  

Do not persist in sin until God must act dramatically in your life (Ezk 11:13). #TurnNowToGod #Repent 

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Whether still seeing the judgment of Judah (Jerusalem) in a vision or thereafter prophesying to the people what God told Ezekiel in that vision (vv24,25), one of the named officials (Pelatial) in verse 1 was struck down dead. 

This death was an affirmation of the seriousness of the coming and eminent judgment of God for sin (see also Acts 5:1-11). Ezekiel is so shaken by this death that he falls face down crying out to God – would God kill everyone in Israel? Lord, may I not persist in sin, causing dramatic acts of God in my life.

Can’t Run, Can’t Hide

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:  

Remain humble and open to God’s conviction (Ezk 11:1-12). #Can’tRunCan’tHide #RemainOpenToGod 

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The leaders of Jerusalem were leading God‘s people away from God. They believed that they were insulated from further Babylonian attacks (our city is like an iron pot; we the people are like meat safe in the pot). Neither the leaders, nor the people of Israel would acknowledge their sin. 

Arrogance, pride, worship of pagan gods, ignoring God‘s word and his warnings was a recipe for failure and God‘s judgment/discipline. It was for Israel then and it is for us today. God put his finger directly on their faulty thinking – he knows our thoughts. Hiding from God is futile. Lord, keep the heart of this ol’ sentry from arrogance and pride.

Driving God Away  

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:  

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.

Reflecting God’s Glory

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:  

May our lives reflect the glory of God and pleasing him.  (Ezk 10:18,19). #SeekGodsPresence #NothingRivalsJehovahGod #NoOtherGodsBeforeMe

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The glory of God moved from the doorway to the inner court of the Temple. It then ascended over the mobile chariot above the cherubim (v18). The chariot, with God‘s glory hovering over it, then moved to the east gate of the Temple.

The Glory of God Departs the Temple

The east gate is significant (Psm 24:7-10; 118:19,20). The Jewish Talmud calls it the “Sun Gate“. Daily the dawning sun shown through the eastern gate of the Temple. The scene is rich with symbolism pointing to the return of Christ. (Mat 24:27; Zec 14:4; Ezk‬ ‭43‬:‭1‬-‭4).

Lord, may my focus ever be on the glory of God and living my life so as to please you. 

Invoking God’s fury

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:  

Worship the Lord alone with a whole heart (Ezk 10:1-4). #SeekGodsPresence #NothingRivalsJehovahGod #NoOtherGodsBeforeMe 

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

In Ezekiel‘s vision, God told the man in linen to take hot coals from the cherubim and spread them around the city (Jerusalem). This was a sign of God‘s judgment, just as with Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 19:24,25). Israel had invoked God’s fury and would pay for her sins of (9:9,10). 

God‘s glory is now on the move (8:6). The glory of God moves from the Holy of Holies to the doorway of the Temple (9:3; 10:4). The mobile throne (God‘s holy chariot) was waiting there at the door to the inner court of the Temple. The entire house of God and inner court was filled with a cloud and a shimmering, bright glow. 

This public display of God‘s glory, God‘s presence, leaving the temple is a reminder that God is true to his word. He will not be rivaled by other gods who are no gods. 

The drama of this scene is traumatic as the fury of God is in play over the transformation of his holy place, his house of worship and prayer, into a place of pagan idolatrous worship. [Picture someone moving pagan idols into the worship center and halls of your church]

Lord, may I worship you and you alone with a whole heart.

Consequences of an Unyielded Life

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:  

May God‘s glory remain resting upon your life; it’s your call (‭‭Ezk‬ ‭10:4,18-19). #DangerToDelayRepentance #DontDelayToRepent #GodsGloryDeparted

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

I see God‘s judgment of Israel as justified (ch 8). God‘s judgment is outlined and eminent (ch 9). God‘s glory departs the temple, then Jerusalem (ch 10-11). Israel is now vulnerable to the destruction of her enemies. She will fall. 

Chapter 8, verse six, notes that the sin and idle worship carried out in God‘s Temple was driving God to depart from his people. God had made his dwelling with his people (Exo 25:8). He dwelt in the wilderness Tabernacle (Exo 40:34, 35). His glory dwelt in the Temple built by Solomon (2Ch 6-7). Now, centuries later, we see that God‘s presence [his glory] was departing the Temple and Jerusalem altogether (Ezk 11:22,23). 

Lord, I never again want to be in a place where you would threaten to remove your glory, your presence, from me.

Open to Scrutiny 

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:  

Remain open to the scrutiny of God in your heart (‭‭Ezk‬ ‭8:1-4‬). #SearchMyHeartOGod #OpenToScrutiny 

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Some elders were with Ezekiel. Perhaps they were consulting with him at his home. Early in his ministry he worked from his house in exile (note 3:24). Ezekiel is transported in a vision to the scene of ungodly detestable worship called out in the Temple of Jerusalem. 

Ezekiel is taken from one scene to the next. Each more vile and detestable than the last. “Do you see it son of man?” God asks. “The whole nation thumbs their nose at me. I will respond in merciless fury.“ 

This only scratches the surface of the sins committed here in the Temple of God. 

Lord, if I am honest, I must be willing for God to search my heart for any wicked way. (Psm 139:23,24). 

Man In The Mirror

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:  

Consider what life corrections you might need to make with God and change (‭‭Ezk‬ ‭8:1‬). #Repent #TurnNowToGod #ManInTheMirror

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

With so much prophetic content regarding sin and destruction (and more to come) I needed to go back and review where I am. It’s a hard read.

Ezekiel Chapters 1-3 described Ezekiel‘s call into his prophetic ministry. In Chapters 4-24 there are three prophetic judgments related to Judah and Jerusalem. In the first section (ch 4-11), God is speaking messages of judgment on Judah because of her disobedience, idolatry and pride. I am in the last half (ch 8-11) of this first of three pronouncements of judgment. 

In Chapter 8 God shows Ezekiel Judah’s wickedness in the Temple. Chapter 9 explains the coming slaughter because of their sin. Chapter 10 shows God’s glory as departing the Temple and Chapter 11 reveals judgment on Judah’s leaders.

Lord, may I have the spiritual stamina to proceed through the process for how God deals with sin.

Personally, may I not be like the man who looks in the mirror (God’s word), sees himself (the sinner that he is), walks away and forgets what he looks like (unrepentant) [Jas 1:23-25]. 

Too little, Too Late

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:  

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.

The Reprieve

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:  

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. 

__________

* MY 1968 EXILE:

https://theprayersentry.com/2023/03/23/window-of-opportunity/

False Hope

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:  

Trust in God alone for your deliverance (Ezk 6:1-3). #NoOtherGods #TrustGodAlone

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The mountains“,

“the mountains“,

“the mountains of Israel“.

Three mentions of “the mountains of Israel” in two verses. Here the thrice Holy God (Isa 6:3; Rev 4:8) brings a message of condemnation upon the “mountains of Israel” (symbols of power, strength, and safety); Israel by association. Her faith was in her location, not in her God. 

Israel worshiped pagan gods and idols in “those mountains”. But the mountains were not her safety (neither is the church or political parties our safety today). God is the one who saves and delivers. All else is false hope. Lord, may my focus be on you and no other external force as my deliverance. 

Can’t Fool, Can’t Hide, Can’t Run

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:  

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.

Pro Life: Impassioned, Devoted, Surrendered to God

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:  

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. 

In Plain Sight

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:  

Be thankful for God‘s absolute presence (Psm 139:7-12). #OmnipresentGod #AllThingsInPlainSight #GodIsEverwhereAlways #TheLightOfDarkness 

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

David turns to the Omni-presence of God. God is everywhere. There is nowhere that God is not present. God is in the highest of high places and in the lowest of low places. One could travel at the speed of light across the globe and still, God is there, guiding, even proceeding that soul. 

Turning to the darkness to hide is futile, for to God, the darkness of night is as the full light of the noon day sun. He is the light and Father of all lights (Jer 23:23,24Jhn 8:12; Heb 4:13; Jas 1:17). Lord, your absolute presence at one time conflicted me. But now it comforts this old sentry.

Too Wonderful

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:  

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.

Reason To Give Thanks

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:  

May you take every opportunity to give thanks to God (Psm 136:1-3). #GiveThanksToGod 

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Give thanks to the Lord who is good. Give thanks to the God of gods; give thanks to the Lord of lords (Deu 10:17). Why give thanks to God? Because his faithful loyal, love (his hesed) endures forever. 

Jehovah is the God who is just and pure in his judgments and character. Giving thanks to God glorifies him. Giving thanks to God lift my spirit. Giving thanks to God shifts my focus from self to others. Lord, your enduring faithful love gives me every reason to be thankful.

No Equal

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:  

Honor God, as the Creator-Monarch of the universe (Psm 136:4-9). #GiveThanksToGod #NoEqual 

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The psalmist presses the point hard regarding the great and wondrous acts of God in his loyal, unfailing love. Who could rival the God who created the heavens, the earth, day and night and the lights that govern them? 

Will my words add a single credit to God’s glory?

Enough! Just give thanks! 

Lord, you have no equal. 

Praise Unlimited

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:  

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. 

Lord, my heart and voice sing praises to you.

Honored Vocation

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:  

Strive to honor those in ministry; follow God when called to ministry (Psm 134:1-3). 

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

This Psalm addresses a very small group in Israel, the Levites. They were those who served night and day as watchmen, protecting and maintaining the Temple.

The view here is to see their work as an act of worship – praise to God. What an honor it is to serve God as a lifetime vocation. 

More than a job, the pursuit of ministry should be to carry it out in a reverent and responsible manner. Those who come to the house of God every week see ministers and recognize them as something special. Neither will God overlook the special work you do (Heb 6:10). Lord, I am honored to serve; I honor others who serve.

More Desirable Than Gold

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:  

Seek to know God’s word above all else (Psm 119:121-128). #Undivided #WhollyDevotedToGod 

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The word of God – “more desirable than gold“ (v127). The psalmist exalts the word of God to the level of a most treasured possession. He expresses a deep love and respect for God‘s word. 

Further, the psalmist points to his life as one who serves the living God because of his living word to men. He seeks justice, mercy, and love from God as he faithfully seeks to learn from and follow God‘s word. Lord, I receive your word as exceeding all other sources of wisdom in my life.