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.

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.

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:

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.

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.

Silent Mouthpiece

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Speak for God, only as led to do so (Ezk 3:24-27). #SilentForGod #SpeakForGod #SilentMouthpiece

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

What happens next after the reoccurrence of the vision of God in his glory and Ezekiel’s call into the prophetic ministry is indeed strange. Nevertheless it is important to his inauguration as a prophet. He is to go to his house, be tied (bound) with rope so as not to go out among the people. He would also be struck dumb – unable to speak (silent mouthpiece).

Strange instructions for a prophet. However, when Ezekiel does get a message from God, he would be allowed to go out and speak.

Otherwise, he is rebound and speechless. This went on for over a year (4:4-6). He is to speak only when he is given God‘s message.* How often I am ready to spout off before I have heard from God. Lord, may I learn to wait upon you; deliberate on your message before I speak as for you.

________

* History records that Ezekiel was unable to speak, except when his tongue was loose by God to deliver God‘s message to the people (note 3:26,27 – the beginning of his prophetic ministry; approx. 593 BC). Ezekiel would be allowed to speak freely again when a fugitive survivor from Jerusalem reported its final destruction to Ezekiel and the exiles in Babylon (note 33:21,22 – approx. 586 BC).

Pursuit of God

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Live a life of unqualified pursuit of God (Ezk 3:22,23). #PursueGod #ReverenceForGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Ezekiel has been called and appointed by God to the office of Prophet (v17a). He has been given a charge to speak quickly, boldly and truthfully whatever message God gives him (v17b). Now Ezekiel is directed to remove himself to a valley-plain (perhaps the valley where his vision of dry bones occurred – 37:1).

Having removed himself to said valley, Ezekiel sees the same vision of God on his chariot-throne as in chapter one. Seeing God in all his glory, Ezekiel falls down on his face prostrate before God. Lord, I see in a man, Ezekiel, one who models for me an unmitigated reverence for God.

Speak When Directed

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May you listen when God speaks; speak when he directs (Ezk 3:17-21). #DeliverGod’sMessage #ListenWhenGodSpeaks

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

God has issued his call to Ezekiel to the prophetic ministry. He is to be a “watchman” over Israel. God instructs Ezekiel to speak without delay, any message that God gives him. It matters not whether the message is to the wicked or to the righteous who have stumbled. Ezekiel is to tell them to turn to God or suffer the consequences; even death.

God informs Ezekiel that he is responsible for getting the message out. If he does, and the people listen and repent, they will be saved, as well as Ezekiel. If Ezekiel does not tell them, they will die in their sin and God will hold Ezekiel accountable for not delivering the message. Lord, may I listen when you speak to me and speak if you so direct me; lives will depend upon it.

THE WATCHMAN

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May you hear and surrender to God‘s call (Ezk 3:16,17). #HearingGodsCall #UnderstandingGodsCall #SurrenderToGodsCall

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

After two and one half chapters (53 verses) and one bodacious vision of God‘s absolute glory, Ezekiel‘s call from God to his prophetic ministry is articulated (1 verse). “Son of man, I [God] have appointed you as a watchman for Israel. Whenever you receive a message from me, warn people immediately” (v17).

The task of the watchman was to stand guard on the wall of the city and warn the people of any approaching danger. As a spiritual watchman, Ezekiel‘s task was to warn the people of the judgment to come if they did not turn from their sin back to God.

Lord, this aged prayer sentry must honor your time and resources invested in me by surrendering to you daily for whatever work I am called upon to do.

___________

I count 9 separate calls of God upon my life. Here’s a time line:

“DOWNLOADING”

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Carefully digest all God’s word speaks to you (Ezk 3:14,15). #HearingGodsCall #UnderstandingGodsCall

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Like watching the “Download” icon on my computer, I find myself here, waiting for the download; trying to discern and describe what Ezekiel himself must have felt woefully inadequate to describe. It would be easy to get bogged down in the symbolism of his vision of God. But the point here is to try and understand the depth and far reaching impact of Ezekiel’s vision on his whole psyche.

The vision has obviously exhausted Ezekiel. He is moved by the spirit within him to arise. He is pressed upon by God to digest all that God has said (v1-4). He is at once empathic with God over Israel’s sin and his heart is in turmoil. He is in need of time to process all he has seen and heard. He is led to go and sit among his exiled brethren. For seven days he sits quietly and pensively, considering all God has downloaded; his call and message.

Lord, it is necessary that I take the time to process what you speak into my life daily.*

_______

* I am by no means any superior example of righteous living. But my heart goes back to the year 2011 or 2012. At the time I was on a, “read through the Bible chronologically in a year,” plan.

I found myself daily trying to digest huge portions of scripture just to finish the plan. I realized then that if I did not stop and try to process what I was receiving it would not do me as much good as I would hope. At that point, I made the decision to slow down and take the time to read through God’s word processing it as I go [ingest, digest, manifest] (Ezekiel‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭4‬).

Here I am in 2025. It’s been roughly 13 years since I made that decision. That doesn’t make me spiritual giant. It just proves that I am a slow learner.

I recently finished the New Testament and am currently trying to finish the Old Testament. I don’t know when I will be done. But my priority is to understand what I am reading in God’s word and not just finish a project. A GREAT DECISION FOR ME.

Devine Movement

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Trust God to be always present and always working (Ezk 3:12,13). #ExpectDevineMovement #SeekingTheLordOfGlory #DevineEncounters

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

While Ezekiel is trying to absorb his vision of God in his flying chariot throne, he is transported (lifted up). He seems startled. Verse 14 expresses his disconcertment as turmoil. He was mentally startled.

The throne of God is moving. The living beings are arosed and the great wheels begin turning. There is a thunderous noise as the glory of the Lord is lifted up. Ezekiel himself is lifted up by the same spirit in Ezk 2:2. He is transfixed as like in a trance; dazed and bewildered. Yet, he is safe at the center of Devine movement.

Lord, I have never had any vision like Ezekiel’s. But I have seen Devine movement at work at crucial times in my life.

Throwing Stones

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May we walk the walk before we talk. (Ezk 3:10,11) #WalkTheWalkB4UTalk #DoWhatYouSay #CastingStones

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Advice to any student of scripture: God says, “Let all my words sink deep into your own heart first (recall Ezk 3:1-3). Listen to my words carefully for yourself. Then go to the people and say this is what the Sovereign Lord says.“ Especially teachers and preachers take note. “Let him or her without sin cast the first stone” (Jhn 8:7).

Before you go expounding and exhorting, make certain that you yourself have listened to God’s message with a heart turned towards obedience. Do this before telling others what God says they are to do (1Co 9:27). Lord, as a dad, granddad and minister of the gospel, may I be first to listen and respond to the truth of Scripture.

Equal to the Task

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Trust God to prepare you for that to which he calls you (Ezk 3:5-9) #EqualToTheRask #HardheadedProphet

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

God reminded Ezekiel that his commissioning was not to go speak to a foreign people of some hard to understand language group. If he were, they would listen. But he is going to his own people in a foreign land (Babylon). There is no language barrier. It should be easy. But it will not be.

God says Israel is hard-hearted and hard-headed. She won’t listen to you – she won’t even listen to me, their God. But God, through Ezekiel, will withstand them. God has made Ezekiel just as hard-headed (determined and brazen) as they. Ezekiel need not fear their angry, defiant, rebellious response.

Lord, you will always make me equal to the task to which you call me.

The Measure of a Ministry

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Clearly speak God‘s message and trust God for the results (Ezk 2:4,5). #Obedience #TrustGodForResults

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

It is hard to dwell on the various elements of God‘s call on Ezekiel. What compels me to dwell here is God‘s intense concern for his rebellious people. He calls them “stubborn,” hardheaded people. Their hearts were set on rebellion.

God’s people had been shameless and unyielding in their will. They wouldn’t yield, even when proven guilty (Isaiah 48:4-6). Irregardless, Ezekiel‘s charge was to speak God‘s undiluted message and they would know that a prophet of God had spoken to them. God measures success by our obedience.

Lord, I will speak your truth and be judged by my obedience not how successful I was.

Ready, Go for God

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Be ready to go for God today (Ezk 2:1,2). #GodSpeaks #GoForGod #StandWalkRun

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

When we have worshiped, been before God on our face, God does not expect us to stay prostrate, paralyzed, on the ground. No, we must then stand and be ready to go on in humble service. Micah 6:-8 compels us to “WALK humbly before God.” Roman 12:1 leads us to present our bodies as living sacrifices in honorable SERVICE to God.

Ezekiel was renewed in his spirit (note Isa 40:29-31). The Lord stood him on his feet. This was a sign that he was ready to go for God. Humble worship leads to faithful service. Lord, coming out of my daily personal cathedral of praise, my heart is renewed. I am ready to go for God today.

How To Hear God’s Voice

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Humble your heart to listen to God (Ezk 2:1). #ListenForGod’sVoice #GodSpeaks

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

This is the call of God on Ezekiel‘s life. I am reminded first that there is a separation between man and God. “Son of man“ is a reminder to Ezekiel (and to me) that he is a man and nothing more. But he is a man with whom and to whom God will speak.

God saw Ezekiel‘s humble response to the vision in Chapter One. To “stand up” (as God here instructs), one must first go down (Ezk 1:28) in humble acknowledgment of God‘s presence. Humble hearts will illicit the voice of God speaking. Lord, my Morning Watch is dedicated to an open heart to listen to your voice.

A Marked Man

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Be alert to, listen for, God‘s call on your life (Ezk 1:28). #MarkedMan #AlertToGod’sCall #MarkedByGod’sGlory

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Ezekiel here mentions that he hears a voice for the second time. The first reference to a voice (v24) seems to be unintelligible. But here, the voice was speaking directly to Ezekiel. God is preparing to call Ezekiel and instruct him in his prophetic ministry.

The entire first chapter has set the stage and will carry Ezekiel through his entire ministry. He will never think of God again without a sense of awe, holy fear and wonder. “The man of God comes out from [HIS] presence indelibly marked by the glory of his Lord.” *

Lord, reading in this Old Testament book, may I be a man alert to your call and marked by your glory.

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* Taylor, John B. EZEKIEL, An Introduction and Commentary. Downers Grove, Illinois: Inter-Varsity Press, 1969), 41.