Exodus 9 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Exodus 9.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/exo/9/1/s_59001

Meditate on verses 20-21.

 

The one among the servants of Pharaoh

 who feared the word of the LORD made his servants

 and his livestock flee in the houses,

 but he who paid no regard to the word of the LORD

 left his servants and his livestock in the field.

 

The LORD warned the people of Egypt He was sending a hailstorm that would kill every person and animal left outside.  He gave them 24 hours notice, so they and their livestock could flee to safety.  Amazingly, there were those who paid no attention to the word of the LORD, leaving their servants and animals to die in the fields (vs. 18-25).

 

The LORD still warns people, today.  His Word says:

 

The LORD Jesus will be revealed from heaven

with His mighty angels in flaming fire,

dealing out retribution to those who do not know God

 and to those who do not obey the Gospel of our LORD Jesus.

—2 Thessalonians 1:7b-8

 

You have His Word.  Will you pay attention to it and tell others what God says?  The lives of those you love depend on obeying God’s Word.

 

Pray Exodus 9:14 and 20 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

“LORD, there is no one like You in all the earth.

May _________ and I fear Your Word

and obey when You command us to flee.

Let us regard and obey Your Word

In Your name, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

 

Exodus 8 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Exodus 8.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/exo/8/1/s_58001

Meditate on these phrases from verses 29 and 32.

 

Do not let Pharaoh deal deceitfully again…

But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also…

 

Frogs, gnats, and insects!  Ugh!  Have you ever been plagued by something or someone?  Have you begged and begged the LORD to deliver you, making promises to Him if He would take you out of your distressful circumstances?  After He gave you relief, did you find yourself behaving not much differently than Pharaoh did 3,500 years ago?

Oh the hardhearted state of mankind! 

 

For I know that nothing good

dwells in me, that is, in my flesh;

 for the willing is present in me,

but the doing of the good is not.  

Wretched man that I am! 

Who will set me free from the body of this death?

 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our LORD!

­­—Romans 7:18, 24-25a

 

Thankfully the LORD Jesus Christ saves your hard heart, changing it into a heart that can know, love, and serve Him.  Ask God to reveal areas in your life where you are dealing deceitfully with Him and others.

Pray Exodus 8:10, 15, and 29 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

“There is no one like You LORD our God. 

May ________ and I know that truth.

When You give us relief, do not let us harden

our hearts and stop listening to You.

Do not let us deal deceitfully again.

For Your name’s sake, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

 

 

Exodus 7 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Exodus 7.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/exo/7/1/s_57001

Meditate on verse 3.  The LORD is speaking.

 

 But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart

 that I may multiply My signs and

 My wonders in the land of Egypt.

 

As you read and observe the next seven chapters of Exodus, notice when the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart and when Pharaoh hardened his own heart.  You may find this hardening of a heart difficult to understand but take God at His Word.  He does not need us to make excuses for Him, justify His actions, or change the text of Scripture to fit our ideas of what He does or does not do.  He is LORD.

Let these verses prompt you to examine your own heart.  Would the LORD describe your heart as hard and stubborn, not attending to His Word?  Or do you have a tender heart that desires to hear, heed, and obey His Word?

Use the words from Exodus 7:3 and 13-14 to pray for yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, please refrain from

 hardening _________ and my hearts.

Do not let us harden our own hearts. 

Help us listen to You.

Let us not have stubborn hearts that refuse to let go.

In Your name, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

 

Exodus 6 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Exodus 6.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/exo/6/1/s_56001

Meditate on this phrase from verses 2, 6, 7, 8, and 29.

 

I am the LORD.

 

God said, “I am the LORD” five times in Exodus 6.  He said it as a statement of fact, as a name by which He would make Himself known, as an assurance He would deliver and redeem His people from bondage, as a guarantee He would keep His Word, and as the reason Moses was to obey and speak all the LORD spoke to him.

Notice the responses of the people to the LORD.  Because of their bondage and state of despondency, the Israelites refused to listen to what the LORD said through Moses (v. 9).  And Moses continued to make excuses for not wanting to obey the LORD (v. 12, 30).

“I am the LORD.”  This is God, the self-existent, eternal Master who has supreme power and authority over you.  His Word to Moses is His Word to you: “I am the LORD. I will keep My Word.  I want to deliver and redeem you from your bondage. Obey Me as Master, Ruler, King, and LORD of your life.”

Pray Exodus 6:6-7 and 29 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

“You are LORD.

Bring __________ and me out

 from under our burdens

 and deliver us from our bondage. 

Redeem us with an outstretched arm

 and with great judgments. 

Take us as Your people and be our God.

 Let us know You are the LORD our God

who brought us out from under our burdens.

 Help us to obey all that You speak to us.

Because You are LORD Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

 

Exodus 5 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Exodus 5.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/exo/5/1/s_55001

Meditate on these questions from verses 2 and 22.

 

Who is the LORD that I should obey His voice?

O LORD, why have You brought harm to this people?

Why did You ever send me?

 

Exodus 5 contains some interesting questions; some you may have asked as well.

Pharaoh asked the first question, “Who is the LORD that I should obey His voice to let Israel go?” (v. 2a).  Rather than letting the LORD reply, Pharaoh was quick to give his own answer, “I do not know the LORD, and besides, I will not let Israel go” (v. 2b).

Pharaoh will soon learn who is LORD, and he will be forced to obey Him.  Pray for those you love to know and obey the LORD with a willing heart.

Moses asked the last two questions.  He knew the LORD, and he had an honest conversation with Him, asking Him difficult questions.  “O LORD, why have You brought harm to this people?  Why did You ever send me?” (v. 22).

As you walk in intimacy with God today, talk to Him about everything and don’t be afraid to ask Him tough questions.  As you continue reading His Word, you will learn the answers to the three questions from Exodus 5, and He will give you answers to your questions as well.

Use the words from Exodus 5:2 to pray for yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, let _________ and me know You

 that we will obey Your voice. 

In Your name, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

 

 

 

 

     

Exodus 4 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Exodus 4.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/exo/4/1/s_54001

Meditate on verse 11.

 

The LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth?

Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind?

Is it not I, the LORD?”

 

Exodus 4 is about obedience.  Twice the LORD was angry with Moses in this chapter. The first time Moses reasoned with God that His choice to make Moses His spokesman was a poor one.  The second was prior to the emergency circumcision of Moses’ son.  Moses had not obeyed God’s command to circumcise him when the boy was eight days old (Genesis 17:10-14).  

Sin angers God and is not to be toyed with and taken lightly.  Is there sin in your past that you need to confess to the LORD, seeking His forgiveness?  What is God asking you to do that you are ignoring and avoiding?  

God created you and knows you better than you know yourself.  He knows what is best for you and what you need to do to live a full and amazing life with Him.  Talk to God about what to say and do to please Him today.

Pray Exodus 4:12 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 “LORD, may _______ and I be obedient when You tell us to go.

Be with our mouths and teach us what to say.

For the sake of Your name, Jesus~”

 

The Watchman on the Wall ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

 

Exodus 3 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Exodus 3.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/exo/3/1/s_53001

Meditate on verse 4.

 

When the LORD saw that he turned aside to look,

God called to him from the midst of

 the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” 

And he said, “Here I am.”

 

Forty years passed after Moses fled for his life to the wilderness (Acts 7:29- 30).  As he pastured his father-in-law’s flock in the area of Mt. Sinai, he came upon an incredible sight: a bush burning with blazing fire, but not consumed.  Moses turned and took notice.  When he did, the LORD responded to him, calling Moses by name.

Notice how timing is key in verse four: “When the LORD saw that he turned aside to look,” God began speaking to Moses, telling him the plan that would take Moses through the next 40 years of his life.  I wonder what the LORD would have done if Moses had not turned to look, but just gone about his sheep herding ways.

What is God doing right now in your life that He wants you to notice?  The LORD desires to talk to you and reveal His will to you.  Turn aside from the distractions and pay attention to Him.

Pray Exodus 3:3-4 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

“LORD, __________ and I must turn aside now

and see the marvelous sight of

what You are doing in our lives.

 LORD, see that we are turning aside to look at You. 

Call us by name!  Here we are, LORD!

 In Your name, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

 

 

Exodus 2 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Exodus 2.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/exo/2/1/s_52001

Meditate on verse 23.

 

Now it came about in the course of those many days that the king

 of Egypt died.  And the sons of Israel sighed

because of the bondage, and they cried out;

 and their cry for help because of their bondage rose up to God.

 

Exodus 2 is an action-packed chapter about the first 40 years of Moses’ life (Acts 7:17-29).  He was one of the Hebrew babies saved at birth because of brave midwives like Shiphrah and Puah, who refused to kill baby boys (Exodus 1:15-17). After his birth, Moses’ family hid him from Pharaoh.  Miraculously, he was found and adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter.  The remainder of the chapter tells of Moses killing an Egyptian, Pharaoh trying to kill Moses, and Moses running for his life.

As Moses was saved and raised by God for even more adventure, the children of Israel remained in bondage to the Egyptians where they cried to the LORD for help. God heard their cry and noticed them.

Are you and/or someone you love in bondage?  Are you a slave to sin?  Are you controlled by something instead of Christ?  God sees you and those you love.  He is waiting for you to cry to Him for help.

Pray Exodus 2:23-25 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, I am sighing and crying out

because ____________ and I are in bondage.

Let our cry for help rise up to You, God.

God hear our groaning,

and God remember Your covenant with us.

God see us and take notice of us.

For the sake of Your name, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

 

 

Exodus 1 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Exodus 1.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/exo/1/1/s_51001

Meditate on verse 17.

 

But the midwives feared God, and

did not do as the king of Egypt

 had commanded them, but let the boys live.

 

Genesis ends with the death of Joseph (Genesis 50:26).  Exodus begins by remembering Joseph’s death and fast-forwarding 400 years to the continuation of Israel’s story, one of enslavement to the Egyptians.  Despite affliction and abuse, the Israelites multiplied, and the Egyptians dreaded them.  In order to stop their population increase, the king of Egypt ordered Hebrew baby boys be put to death as they were being born.  These horrific orders were given to two midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, who feared God more than they feared Pharaoh—they refused to kill the babies.

 

With whom do you identify from this chapter?  Are you like the Egyptians in opposition to God’s work, or are you a Godly and courageous Shiphrah and Puah, willing to defy orders that are contrary to God’s Word?

 

As you desire to see God establish your family in His righteousness and holiness, be willing to obey His Word and walk in His ways.

 

Pray Exodus 1:17 and 20-21 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

“LORD, help __________ and me to fear only You

and not the commands of men who oppose You.

Help us do things that help others live!


Be good to us, God; multiply us and make us mighty.

 Establish our family because we fear You.


In Your name, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

 

 

Genesis 50 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Genesis 50.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/gen/50/1/s_50001

Meditate on this sentence from verse 17a.

 

Please forgive, I beg you,

the transgression of your brothers

 and their sin, for they did you wrong. 

 

After their father died, the brothers feared Joseph’s retaliation.  They sent a message saying their father asked, before he died, for Joseph to forgive them.  After the message was delivered, the brothers themselves asked Joseph to forgive them. Interestingly, Genesis 50:17 is the first time we observe the brothers actually asking Joseph for forgiveness.  They sold Joseph into slavery 39 years earlier and lived with him in Egypt for the past 17 years before asking for his forgiveness.  

Joseph forgave his brothers, reminding them God used their evil for good.  He promised to provide for them and their little ones, comforting them and speaking kindly to them (v. 21).

Ask God to forgive you of sins from your past.  Perhaps you even have sins from 39 years ago you need to confess.  Is there somebody you need to contact and ask their forgiveness?  Is there somebody who needs you to forgive them and who needs you to stop withholding comfort and kindness to them?  

Pray Genesis 50:17 and 20-21 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“God, my Father, please forgive my transgressions.

 Help me to forgive the transgression and

 sin of ___________;
even though they did me wrong.


God, use for good what was meant for evil.

 Let them not be afraid of me.


Help me provide for them and their little ones.

 Help me comfort them and speak kindly to them.

In Your name, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

 

Genesis 49 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Genesis 49.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/gen/49/1/s_49001

Meditate on verse 28b.

 

He blessed them, every one

 with the blessing appropriate to him.

 

Before Jacob died, he gave his sons individual blessings.  Five of the brothers’ blessings are noteworthy.

Reuben, the firstborn, should have received the greatest blessings.  He forfeited them because of immorality (Genesis 35:22).

Simeon and Levi were cursed rather than blessed because of their violence, self-will, and anger (Genesis 34:25-30).

Judah was blessed, described as a lion, whose scepter would never be taken from his family.  Jesus Christ, the Lion of Judah, is descended from this son of Israel (Revelation 5:5).  Despite Judah’s immoral, violent, and self-willed past, he was blessed because he repented and became a man of God (Genesis 37-38; 44).

Joseph was blessed with abundant, surpassing blessings because in the midst of attacks and affliction, he bore the fruit of righteousness, entrusting himself to God Almighty (Genesis 37-48).  

Which son are you?  Have you robbed yourself and your family of God’s blessings because of sin in your life?  If so, do not let your story end as a Reuben, Simeon, or Levi.  Become a Judah!  Repent and be a person of God.  Act like Joseph!  No matter the circumstances, entrust yourself to the hands of the Mighty One, living a fruitful life for God.

Pray Genesis 49:22 and 24-25 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“God Almighty, help and bless _________ and me.

Bless us with the blessings of heaven above


and the deep that lies beneath.


Make us a fruitful bough, a fruitful bough by a spring;

let our branches run over a wall.


In Your name Shepherd, the Stone of
Israel, Jesus Christ our LORD~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Genesis 48 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Genesis 48.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/gen/48/1/s_48001

Meditate on verse 15b.

 

The God who has been my Shepherd

 all my life to this day …

 

Israel (Jacob) was about to die, so he called Joseph to come to his deathbed and bring his sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, with him.  Joseph came at his father’s bidding and humbly bowed before him.  Israel adopted these two sons of Joseph and gave them an inheritance in the land of Israel, along with Joseph’s brothers; thus, giving Joseph a double portion of Israel’s inheritance (vs. 5, 22).

As Israel blessed Joseph and his sons, he gave his testimony: God Almighty appeared to him, blessed him, and shepherded him all of his life (Genesis 48:3, 15).

Recall some of the events of Israel’s life.  He fled to another country because his mother was afraid his brother would kill him (Genesis 27:41-45).  He worked 20 years for a deceptive uncle (Genesis 29-31).  His favorite son, Joseph, was sold into slavery, and for 22 years Israel thought he was dead (Genesis 37).  Jacob’s beloved wife, Rachel, died in childbirth (Genesis 36:16-20).

Jacob’s faith in the LORD caused him to say God was the Shepherd of his life in the good times and the bad.

Is that your testimony?  Pray Genesis 48:3 and 15 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“God Almighty, appear to __________ and

 me and bless us.  Let us walk with You.

You have been our Shepherd

all of our lives to this day.


Because of Your name, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

 

Genesis 47 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Genesis 47.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/gen/47/1/s_47001

Meditate on verse 31b.

 

Then Israel bowed in worship at the head of the bed.

 

Genesis 46 records Israel (Jacob) worshiping God before he journeyed to Egypt to be with Joseph.  By the end of Genesis 47, Jacob was seventeen years older and about to die.  The chapter ends with Jacob bowed in worship.  Jacob described his 130 years of life as unpleasant, yet despite the unpleasantness, Jacob worshiped God.

Genesis 47 also portrays a respectful son.  Joseph was the second most powerful man in the world.  But, when an old man called for him, Joseph went to his father and swore to do everything his father said.

God’s command to honor your father and mother does not come with an age clause, but it does come with a promise that your days will be prolonged in the land God gives you (Exodus 20:12).

No matter how young or old you are, God commands you to honor your parents.  If you have children, they are learning how to treat you by the way they see you treat their grandparents.  Learn from God’s Word how to honor your parents.

Pray Genesis 47:29-31 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, may ________ and I deal with our


parents in kindness and faithfulness.


Let us honor their requests, even in respect


to where they will be buried.


May we find favor in Your sight, LORD,


as we bow in worship of You by

the way we treat our parents.

 In Your name, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

 

 

Genesis 46 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Genesis 46.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/gen/46/1/s_46001

Meditate on verses 1.

 

So Israel set out with all that he had, and

 came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices

 to the God of his father Isaac.

 

For 22 years, Israel (Jacob) thought Joseph was dead.  Now, miraculously, he learns his beloved son is alive.  Travelling to reunite with Joseph, Jacob made a stop at Beersheba to offer sacrifices to God because this was the place where his grandfather Abraham called on the name of the LORD and where Jacob grew-up (Genesis 21:33; 28:10).

Jacob worshiped God first!  Following the pattern of his grandfather, worshiping God took precedence over his son (Genesis 22).  God honored Jacob’s sacrifice of time and spoke these words to him:

“I will go down with you to Egypt, and

 I will also surely bring you up again;

 and Joseph will close your eyes.”

—Genesis 46:4

 

These were words from God to an old man taking a long journey with his family to a land that was not theirs.  The words of the prophecy made to his grandfather 213 years earlier must have been in the back of his mind:

Know for certain that your descendants will be

 strangers in a land that is not theirs,


where they will be enslaved and

 oppressed four hundred years.

—Genesis 15:13

 

Would this journey be the beginning of the fulfillment of that prophecy?  Jacob needed to hear from God before taking another step.

Where are you about to journey?  Hear the words God wants to whisper into your ears today.

Pray Genesis 46:2 in response to God as you hear Him call your name.

“LORD, I hear you calling me.

 ‘____________, ____________ .’

Here I am, LORD.”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Genesis 45 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Genesis 45.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/gen/45/1/s_45001

Meditate on this phrase from verse 8.

 

It was not you who sent me here, but God …

 

Joseph saw life from God’s perspective.  God used the evil done by his brothers to get Joseph where He needed him.  Joseph chose not to be jaded by 22 years of family separation.  He saw clearly and stated with confidence, “God sent me before you to preserve life” (v.5).

Joseph’s choice to forgive his brothers, telling them not to be grieved or angry with themselves foreshadowed the forgiveness Christ extends to you through His death on the cross.  With His forgiveness comes His provision and promise to be near you and care for you (vs. 10-11).

What a glorious gift from God!  And, because of what Christ does for you, you can have a Joseph perspective on life.  No matter where you are or how you got there, God wants you to see with His eyes.  God put you where you are, and He has a purpose for you being there.  As you choose to live for Jesus Christ and others, ask Him how you can preserve and protect the people He has given you.

Pray Genesis 45:7 over those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, make ________ to be a remnant in the earth for You.

Keep them alive by Your great deliverance.


For the sake of Your name, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell