Open Book Of Praise

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May your life reveal a loving God (Psm 145:8-10). #GodOfCompassion #GodOfUnconditionalLove #GodOfMercy

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

David here affirms God‘s nature. He sees God as merciful, long suffering, loving, and compassionate. This is consistent with what other writers, centuries apart, have said (Exo 34:6; Neh 9:17; Jol 2:13; Jon 4:2; 1Jn 4:8).

I have only to look at my own life to know the truth of these words. I have failed God too many times to count. But he has never failed me. He has blessed me mightily; showered compassion on me. How could I not praise him?

Lord, may my life be an open book of praise for the wonderful goodness of God.

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.

Forever Glorious

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May you see the glory, faithfulness, purity and eternal righteousness of God (Ezk 11:22,23). #ForeverGlorious

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

I am skipping ahead to the movement of God‘s glory from the east gate to the mountain on the east side of Jerusalem (that would be the Mount of Olives). From there, the glory of God would ascend into heaven and not return to the Temple.

Centuries later, Christ, the radiance of God‘s glory (Heb 1:1-3) would return in fulfillment of many prophecies concerning his birth, death and resurrection. Much of the later ministry of Christ centered in and around the place of God’s departure from Israel, the Mount of Olives in Ezekiel’s vision.*

Lord, may I not get bogged down in the daily struggle through the imagery of the prophets, time lines and prophetic utterances. May my reading, study and meditation on the your word lead me to see the glory of God, the faithfulness of God, purity of God, the patience of God with man and God‘s ultimate judgment of sin and God’s deliverance of his righteous ones into the eternal glorious homeland of Heaven.

_______

* Hailed as King of the Jews, Christ would make his triumphal entry into Jerusalem by an east gate (by that time Jerusalem and the Temple of Ezekiel’s day would have been destroyed and rebuilt).

One week later Christ would be crucified and resurrected from the dead. 40 days after that Christ would ascend from the Mount of Olives back into heaven (Acts 1:9-12). He would fill all believes with his glory (Col 1:27). He will one day return again descending in this same place (Zec 14:1-4; Acts 1:10,11). He will return as the reigning king over his new eternal Kingdom (Rev 11:25).

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.

Moral Breakdown

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May you turn from any perverted or immoral behavior (‭‭Ezk‬ ‭8:5,6‬). #TurnNowToGod #Repent

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

I need to take a deeper dive on the idolatrous worship outlined in these verses. Asherah, chief female deity of the Canaanites and Babylonians is the likely reference here. A wicked Israelite King, Manasseh (2Ki 21:7), had an Asherah pole (phallic symbol) manufactured and put in the Temple at Jerusalem.

Asherah was the goddess of fertility. All manner of sexual rites, perversions and worship were centered around this deity. It was obscene and immoral. It led to all manner of sexual perversion, including temple prostitutes (male and female). Israel’s leaders led her into this sin.

Lord may my life be free of lustful sin, perversion and any immoral behavior.

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.

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.

Honored & Exalted

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Honor of the Lord, who lifts us by his power (Psm 138:1-8). #ExaltTheLordOfLife #FaithfulLoyalLove #AnsweredPrayer #TheHumbleAreHonored

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Oh, what unfailing love and faithfulness God shows to those who ask; to the humble (vv1-3,6,8). God answers prayer and keeps his promises (vv2,3). God protects his servants by the power of his right hand (symbol of strength). The Lord works out his perfect plan for our lives (v7,8).

Oh, what faithful love is ours who exalt the Lord God. One day every king will sing God‘s glory and give him thanks (vv 4,5; Isa 45:23; Rom 14:11; Phi 2:10,11). There is no god in the realms beneath, beside or above our God. Lord, may this old sentry’s heart exalt You alone, above all others.

Stop! Give Thanks!

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May you not take for granted the Lord‘s salvation and deliverance (Psm 136:10-25). #Saved #Delivered #GiveThanksToGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Thanks has been offered by the psalmist to God for his goodness and greatness (vv1–3); for his wondrous creative powers (vv4–9). Verses 10-16 pour out thanksgiving to God for his great salvation of Israel from Egypt and escape through the Red Sea. Then thanks is given to God for his deliverance from mighty Kings as Israel enters into the land promised them by God (vv17-25).

Finally, thanks is given to Jehovah as the “God of heaven” – a title used only here in reference to God in the entire book of Psalms (v26). God is indeed the author and finisher of our Salvation. He is also our ultimate deliverance not only from this world, but from all of our guilt and sin. Lord, may I never take for granted your great salvation and deliverance.

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.

The Greatest Song

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Find your deepest, most abiding purpose in the enduring loving-kindness of God (Psm 136:1-3ff). #PraiseTheLord #Hallelujah #PraiseOfAllPraises #GodsLovingkindness

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Appropriately, this Psalm is called the Psalm of Psalms, the song of songs; the “great Hallel ” (hallelujah of all hallelujahs; the praise of all praises).

The theme of this Psalm is God‘s loving-kindness that endures forever. (It is repeated in all 26 verses). The Hebrew word used to express this is hesed. Hesed is the loyal love of God we see worked out in the life and death of Jesus our Savior.

Hesed is the persistent, unconditional, ever-faithful, relentless, lavish, extravagant, unrestrained, furious and loyal love of our Father, God.

Hesed is grace extended when it is not deserved.* Lord, you came seeking after this old sentry in your matchless love and mercy.

________

* Note: it is this loyalty, kindness and devotion (hesed) that King David expresses for the sake of his friend Jonathan (2Sa 9:1,3,7).

Called To Praise The Lord Our God

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

All you who love the Lord, give praise to him (Psm 135:19-21). #PraiseTheLord #Hallelujah! #BlessTheLordOhMySoul

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

These are the words we to utter when we experience any remarkable thing we believe can only be attributed to the work of our God in life. All you who love and revere the Lord give praise to him. Hallelujah!

The psalmist ends this Psalm as he began (vv1–3): “Praise the Lord!“ The literal translation from Hebrew is, “Hallelujah.“ It is a call to bless the Lord: Hahve! [applause of heaven]. It is a call to express devotion to God that is unique to the book of Psalms (occurs 23 times).

Lord, please accept the humble praise of this old sentry for your innumerable gracious works in my life.

THE ONE! and Only ONE!

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Place your prayers & hopes in the One True God (Psm 135:8-18). #OneTrueGod #GodWhoHearsAndKnowsMen

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The psalmist further describes the God who is worthy of our praise. Beyond his governance of heaven, earth and its elements (vv5–7), God’s sovereignty is seen in his relationship to the people of his choosing (v4).

God delivered his people from the slavery they endured in Egypt by many signs and wonders. He delivered his people from the hands of mighty kings. Their land became the land of the people of his possession.

More than dumb idols (vv15-18), our God stands in a personal and intimate relationship with his people.* Lord, you are the God who sees, hears, speaks, understands and acts on our cries for help.

________

* Jehovah God is no indifferent deity (Deism). He hears, sees, speaks and acts on man’s behalf. He is intimately involved, unlike any idol of man’s making (Note: Isa 44:9-20; Jer 10:1-16).

THE ONE!

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May you exalt the Lord God over all things in life. (Psm 135:4-7).

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Who is this God to whom men ought to give such high praise? He is the Lord, Jehovah. All you holy ones (Psm 134:1–3), worship the beautiful name of Jehovah. He is sovereign over all things. He chose Israel as his treasured possession (the church by extension).

Jehovah has created all things (Psm 134:3). He is greater than all gods (135:5). He does what pleases him in the heavens, on the earth, on and in the sea. He governs the clouds, the winds, the rain and lightning. There is no God like Jehovah (Deu 33:26; Jer 10:6). He is THE ONE!

Lord, I have every reason to glorify you over all things in my life.

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.

What If?

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May you know God‘s deliverance From overwhelming circumstance (Psm 124:1–5).

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

This Psalm of praise begins, “What if God had not been with us“ (repeated twice for emphasis). Our attackers, the psalmist says, would have swallowed us alive. They would have overtaken us by overwhelming surprise.

The enemy, without the Lord’s help, would have been like proud waters, a tsunami of destruction, that would have blotted us off the map. But no, it was the Lord, who came to the rescue of Israel. History tells me that Israel is the only people group to survive after obliteration as a nation (returning as a nation in 1948).*

Lord, may my heart give praise to our God for his deliverance of Israel and to his godly ones.

_______

* Many nations, such as the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Girgasites, Jebusites and Perizzites were destroyed, never to rise again.

Israel is the only nation to be destroyed, dismantled, and scattered as they were after the Babylonian invasion of 585 BC and then centuries later recover as a nation (reestablished in 1948). No other nation has survived total obliteration and returned as has Israel.

City View

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Come joyfully, expectantly, to worship (Psm 122:1-5).#PraiseAndWorship

The psalmist is here recounting his trip (pilgrimage) to the Temple (God‘s house) in Jerusalem. He is overjoyed. His vision of what he saw put him in awe; the city (as he stood in the gate) he viewed as a fortified and unified city and the mountains all around it (121:1)*.

I remember my first trip to Albuquerque, New Mexico. I was mesmerized by the mountains and the city in the valley. It was not the Holy City, which I’ve never seen, but it gives me some idea of what the psalmist must have felt as he approached Jerusalem and the Temple to worship.

Lord, may I come every week to worship with such a vision of joy and awe.

_______

* Here is a brief description of Jerusalem and the surrounding mountains.

https://sareltours.com/article/mountains-surrounding-jerusalem

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.

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.

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.

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.

Surrender – No Reservations

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Surrender in obedience to the radiant Lord of Heaven (Ezk 1:26-28). #SeeGodInNewWays #Surrender #RadiantLordOfHeaven #RevereGod’sTruth-Faithfulness

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Ezekiel‘s initial impression of God’s throne is taken with its azure-blue appearance. He is then taken with a figure that looks like a man on that throne. The upper body was glowing like amber, flickering like fire. The lower body looked like burning flames shining with great splendor. Around the entire image of this throne was the appearance of a rainbow-like brilliance. Its radiance engulfed the vision in multicolored splendor.

All of this would seem to point to the judgment of God (the fire) and at the same time the covenant of peace that comes after the judgment (the rainbow). This would seem to express the focus of Ezekiel’s prophetic call. He would see it again three more times (3:22,23; 8:3,4; 43:2,3)

I am left without imagination enough to express my thoughts. I read the words and know their definitions. But I am left dumb at how to express them. Lord, my only response is to just fully surrender in obedience to you. No reservations.

My “Blue” Heaven

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Walk in reverent fear of God‘s truth & faithfulness (Ezk 1:26-28). #SeeGodInNewWays #Truth #GodIsFaithful #RevereGod’sTruth-Faithfulness

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Every prophet of God has a call that is unique to them. Ezekiel‘s call stands alone as a vision of the likeness of God in all his glory. Ezekiel describes God and his throne. It’s made of brilliant blue lapis lazuli (blue sapphire). The heavens declare his glory (Psm 19:1).

Biblical sources reveal sapphire (the color blue) as representative of truth – the accuracy and sincerity of God‘s word.* It’s the ground upon which God’s feet rest (Exo 24:10). I come away with an overwhelming sense of sheer reverence for the God I serve, his faithfulness and authenticity.

Lord, may my walk before you exemplify that reverent honor for your truth & faithfulness.

_______

* Sapphire is blue in color. In the Bible the color blue or sapphire stones may represent God and things dedicated to a holy purpose (Exo 24:10; Ezk 1:26; Num 4:5,6; Rev 21:19). Blue may also represent things like the Spirit, heavenly visitation, heaven itself, grace, truth, faithfulness and cleansing.

[There is more material here than I can write about. I have given 4-6 hours over several days pondering the meaning of these things.] Here is one link that has been helpful:

https://biblemeanings.net/sapphire-spiritual-meaning-bible/

On My Face

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May we exercise silence & humility before God (Ezk 1:26-28). #SplendorRevealed #SeeGodInNewWays #SeeGodExalted #Overwhelmed

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Ezekiel has been focused on the lower portion of his vision: living beings, wheels, lightning, noise, fiery presence and movement. He now sees, hears and tries to describe what he sees above the platform borne up by the living beings. He sees a throne. Its appearance is like blue lapis lazuli (sapphire).

Upon this throne sits what looks like a man, represented as gleaming amber and a splendorous burning flame. All around this figure is a glowing halo (like a rainbow). In Ezekiel’s words this is, “God sitting on his throne of jeweled sapphire, in all his glory and holiness.” The vision’s sight and sound presses the limits of vocabulary to the max. Ezekiel falls on his face in silence before God.

Lord, may I be on my face and speechless, my mouth closed, before you (Job 40:3,4; Psm‬ ‭19‬:‭14‬;‬‬ Hab 2:20).

Take a Knee to Glory

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Bow, low in the presence of God‘s glory (Ezk 1:24,25). #SplendorRevealed #SeeGodInNewWays #SeeGodExalted

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Ezekiel now describes what he is hearing. What he hears is as dreadful (awe-inspiring) as what he sees. It is a noisy whirring sound. The wings of the cherubim are outstretched and reverberating powerfully. It sounds like the torrent of wild rushing waters or rolling thunder; the sound of a mighty Army on the move.

Ezekiel also hears a voice from above the mighty platform described in vv22,23. However, no words are mentioned here. The sight and sound of this vision seem splendorific. It is at once both dreadful and magnificent at the same time.

Lord, may my heart and knee be bowed in the light of the glory I can barely comprehend.

God Exalted In Life

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May we see God exalted, lifted up, in our lives (Ezk 1:22,23,26). #SplendorRevealed #SeeGodInNewWays #SeeGodExalted

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The four living beings (cherubim) in Ezekiel‘s vision appeared to be lifting or escorting a great heavenly platform over their heads. It looked like ice or crystal and was gleaming in a formidable yet awe-inspiring way. God’s throne sat upon or above it. When the beings moved, the entire platform moved with them (v19-21). Moses and 70 others saw something similar [Exo 24:10,11).

The Apostle John also saw something close to Ezekiel’s vision as well (Rev 4:1–11). Our God is exalted high above the Earth. He reigns in a heavenly bliss, above the corruption of earth. Yet, he has revealed his true heart for earth (for man) in Christ (note: Phi 2:6-11).* Lord, you reveal yourself to man (to me) as exalted above all the earth.

________

* Jhn 1:1,2,14; 5:18; Rom 8:3; 14:11; Eph 1:20-22; Col 1:15–20; Heb 1:3,4; Isa 45:23.

To Know God

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Seek to know God in new ways (Ezk 1:22-28). #SplendorRevealed #SeeGodInNewWays

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

I can hardly imagine what Ezekiel must have been experiencing as this vision of God unfolds before him. I am struggling to wrap my brain around what he must have been seeing. The enormity and expanse of it, the splendor and the magnificence of it is beyond what the human mind could imagine or comprehend.

My initial response is to close my Bible and go find something easier to read. But I know that our God wants to be known. Jesus proves that. Lord, may I push past not knowing, not understanding, may I know you in a new and meaningful way.

Meaning Behind The Imagery

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Look through the symbolism of God’s word and see God (Ezk 1:4-6).

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Of first note in Ezekiel‘s vision are the four living beings. They appear out of the whirlwind of the dark clouds. Chapter 10:3ff refers to these beings as cherubim. There are many views on the nature and character of cherubim. One thing seems certain, cherubs are not childlike beings. They are fiercely iconic beings. We see them guarding the tree of life in Genesis 3:24. We see them covering the ark of the covenant in Exodus 25:17–20. They support the throne of God (e.g. Psm 80:1; 2Sa 22:10-14; 1Ch 28:18).

We are told in Hebrews 8:5,6 that the Tabernacle of was a copy, a resemblance of the heavenly reality. Ezekiel‘s vision seems to be of the actual enthronement of God riding on cherubim. Whether these are a special class of angels is uncertain. What is certain is what they symbolize. The cherubim in Ezekiel‘s vision points us to the wisdom, power and glory of God; to the mercy, righteousness, and grace of God. Lord, may I not get stuck in the imagery of Ezekiel, but see through the imagery to catch a vision of who you are.

Seeing The Glory of God, Prt 2

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Give thanks for the intentional presence of God (Ezk 1:4). #GodsGlory #Worship

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The Life Application Study Bible notes on this verse point to the fact that Ezekiel was far away from the Temple in Jerusalem. It was a physical symbol of God‘s presence with his people (he was a captive in Babylon).

The the ominous dark cloud, lightning flashing, brilliant light, and appearance of fire, glowing, like burnish metal in the center of the cloud, revealed God’s very presence with him. He was, as I am, reminded that God rides with us everywhere. No matter where we find ourselves physically or spiritually, God is present.

Lord, I thank you for your ever present attention to me.* This old sentry is never far from your grasp (v3; 2:9; 3:14,22; 8:3).

_______

* God makes his presence known through his word, his indwelling Holy Spirit and the presence of godly friends around me.

When I was in Vietnam, I thought I was too far gone, that the presence of God had certainly departed. But not so. See my testimony, this blog – https://theprayersentry.com/2023/03/23/window-of-opportunity/

Stop, Worship Jehovah God

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Stop and worship Jehovah God (Ezk 1 :1-5). #Worship #MoreThanWorthy #WorshipTheLordOurGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

I cannot help but feel overwhelmed at the revelation of God‘s call of Ezekiel. The vision described in chapter one is not a vision from God, but a vision of God. Ezekiel saw God enthroned. He saw heavenly things surrounding the throne of God (note 1Ki 22:19; 2Ki 6:17).

I cannot imagine the challenge Ezekiel must have had trying to put his vision of God into words. I am at first overwhelmed. But then I am humbled. After that, I stand in awe and am compelled to read on and understand it all. Lord, I must just simply stop and worship you.