Judges 1 - Praying God's Word

Please read Judges 1.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/jdg/1/1/s_212001

Meditate on this repeated phrase from verses 21 and 28-33.

…did not drive out…

When God gave the land of Canaan to the Israelites, He commanded them to utterly destroy the inhabitants. This instruction was so they would not teach the Israelites all the detestable things they did with their idols (Deuteronomy 20:17-18). But the Israelites did not obey the LORD, and Judges records some of the consequences of their disobedience.

As you read this book, ask the LORD to teach you from their mistakes.

Israel sinned against God when they “did not drive out.” Their sin resulted in “the Jebusites living with the sons of Benjamin in Jerusalem to this day” (v. 21). And “the Canaanites persisted in living in that land and lived among them” (vs. 27, 29). Heathen idolatry lived with, in, and among God’s people because they refused to drive it out.

Can you imagine how different the world might be today if the children of Israel had completely driven out the idol worshippers occupying their land? Can you imagine how different you and your family might be if you completely drove out things in your life that displease the LORD?

Use the words from Judges 1:29 to pray over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, help _______ and me drive out _________,

 so it no longer lives among us.

In Your name, Jesus~”

The Watchman on the Wall 2 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Jonah 4 - Praying God's Word

Please read Jonah 4.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/jon/4/1/s_893001

Meditate on verse 4. 

The LORD said, “Do you have good reason to be angry?”

The Ninevites repented; God relented, and Jonah resented the entire situation. He was mad that God was true to His character: gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, abundant in lovingkindness, and relenting of calamity (v. 2). Ironically, Jonah did not complain when the LORD showed him those same qualities by not allowing him to perish in the belly of the fish, giving him a second chance, and growing a plant to give him shade. Jonah was extremely happy about that plant, yet he was not even a tiny bit happy for a repentant sinner. On the contrary, he was so mad when God spared the people and killed his plant that he wanted to die.

It is easy to judge Jonah for his merciless attitude, yet examine your own thoughts. Does a Jonah lurk inside you? Are there people you wish God would judge and condemn? Do you pout when He does not let you have your way? How much time do you spend begging God for things you want compared to the amount of time you pray for others to repent and come to Christ?

Pray for the LORD to make His characteristics (Jonah 4:2) evident in you and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 “LORD, make _________ and me like You:

gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness.

Thank You for the times You relent concerning calamity.

Because You desire all men to be saved

and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4), Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL 2 ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Jonah 3 - Praying God's Word

Please read Jonah 3.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/jon/3/1/s_892001

Meditate on verse 10.

When God saw their deeds, that they turned from their wicked way,

 then God relented concerning the calamity

which He declared He would bring upon them.  And He did not do it.

The LORD gave Jonah a second chance to obey and give His message to the people of Nineveh. It was an eight-word sermon (four Hebrew words) that brought this great city to its knees in repentance and faith in God. The LORD was so moved by the people turning from their violent wickedness and earnestly calling on Him that He relented of the calamity He was about to bring on them. Amazing!

800 years after Jonah proclaimed the Word of the LORD, Christ preached a similar message, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). And as He died on the cross in the place of those who needed to repent, the same LORD who forgave the Ninevites cried out, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).

Thankfully, your merciful Savior still turns to all who call on Him in repentance, relenting of the deserved calamity. Have you humbled yourself in repentance to Christ Jesus your LORD?

Pray Jonah 3:8-9 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“God, I am earnestly calling on You!  May ________ and I turn from our wicked way

 and from the violence in our hands.  God, please turn and relent

 and withdraw Your burning anger so that we will not perish.

In Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL 2 ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Jonah 2 - Praying God's Word

Please read Jonah 2.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/jon/2/1/s_891001

Meditate on verses 3a and 4a.

For You had cast me into the deep,

so I said, “I have been expelled from Your sight.”

Jesus cried out with a loud voice,

“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

—Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34

Jonah experienced the wrath of God because he was punished for his sins.  Jesus experienced the wrath of God because He was punished for your sins.

Without Jesus, you are Jonah:

·      In distress, in the depth of Sheol, the belly of hell (v. 2)

·      Expelled from the sight of God (v. 4)

·      Engulfed to the point of death (v. 5)

BUT with Jesus, God:

·      Answers you and hears your voice (v. 2)

·      Brings your life out of the pit (v. 6)

·      Gives you His salvation (v. 9)

Pray the prayer of Jonah in recognition and thanksgiving for what Jesus Christ did for you when He died for your sins (Jonah 2:2-9).

“I called out of my distress to the LORD, and He answered me.  I cried for help from the depth of Sheol; You heard my voice.  For You had cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the current engulfed me.  All Your breakers and billows passed over me.  So I said, “I have been expelled from Your sight.  Nevertheless I will look again toward Your holy temple.”  Water encompassed me to the point of death. The great deep engulfed me; weeds were wrapped around my head. I descended to the roots of the mountains.  The earth with its bars was around me forever, but You have brought my life up from the pit, O LORD my God.  While I was fainting away, I remembered the LORD, and my prayer came to You, into Your holy temple. Those who regard vain idols forsake their faithfulness, but I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving. 

That which I have vowed I will pay.  Salvation is from the LORD.

Thank You!  In Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL 2 ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Jonah 1 - Praying God's Word

Please read Jonah 1.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/jon/1/1/s_890001

Meditate on verse 17.

And the LORD appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah,

and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish three days and three nights.

But He (Jesus) answered and said to them,

“An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign;

 and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet;

for just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster,

so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”

—Matthew 12:39-40

Jonah’s story foreshadowed the life and death of Jesus Christ:

·      The same LORD who hurled a great wind on the sea to break up Jonah’s boat commanded the winds to hush and be still when He was awakened on a storm-tossed ship (Jonah 1:4; Mark 4:37-39).   

·      The sailors on Jonah’s ship did not want innocent blood on their hands (Jonah 1:14).  At the crucifixion, Pilate washed his hands of Jesus’ blood; the crowd said His blood would be on them and their children (Matthew 27:24-25). 

·      Jonah’s time in the belly of the great fish foreshadowed where Jesus went prior to His resurrection (Ephesians 4:9-10).

God’s Word is amazing!  Ever page tells the story of Jesus.  Be fascinated by your LORD as you ponder Him on the pages of Jonah.

Pray Jonah 1:9 and 14 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD God of heaven who made the sea and the dry land,

 may _________ and I fear You.  We earnestly pray, O LORD,

do not let us perish on account of __________, and do not put innocent blood on us. 

O LORD, do as You please in the life of ____________.

For the sake of Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL 2 ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Colossians 4 - Praying God's Word

Please read Colossians 4.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/col/4/1/s_1111001

Meditate on verse 17.

Take heed to the ministry which you have

received in the LORD, that you may fulfill it.

Jesus Christ came to earth to die for your sins. He was resurrected to conquer death and become your living Savior. In Christ you are eternally alive. Christ lives inside you to give you glorious, eternal hope (Colossians 1:27). You are complete in Christ because Christ is your life (Colossians 2:10; 3:4). God chose you to live in Christ; you are His beloved, and you are holy (Colossians 3:12).

As you consider these amazing truths about who you are in Jesus, be mindful that the LORD has given you a ministry, and He wants you to fulfill it. Do you know what that ministry is? If not, ask Him to reveal it to you. If you know what the ministry is, are you paying attention to it and fulfilling it by the LORD’s power? Living a resurrected life means living for the One who gave you that life.

Pray Colossians 4:12 and 17 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, may _________ and I stand perfect

and fully assured in all Your will.

Let us take heed to the ministry which

 we have received in You, that we may fulfill it.

In Your name and by Your power, Jesus~”

The Watchman on the Wall 2 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Colossians 3 - Praying God's Word

Please read Colossians 3.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/col/3/1/s_1110001

Meditate on verses 1-2.

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ,

 keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 

Set your mind on things above, not on the things that are on earth.

Resurrection is the core of Christianity and the proof of your salvation. Colossians 3 lists the attributes of a person whose life is resurrected in Jesus Christ. Does this list describe you?

·      You have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God (v. 3).

·      Jesus is your life (v. 4).

·      You are dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (v. 5).

·      You lay aside anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech (v. 8).

·      You do not lie to others because you laid aside your old self with its evil practices (v. 9).

·      You have put on the new self that is being renewed to the image of your Creator, Jesus Christ (v. 10).

·      You are chosen of God, holy, and beloved (v. 12).

Pray the characteristics from Colossians 3:12-17 to be visible in you and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, let _______ and me put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  Let us bear with one another and forgive each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone, just as You forgave us, LORD.  Beyond all these things, let us put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.  Let Your peace, Christ, rule in our hearts, and let us be thankful.  Let Your Word dwell within us richly with all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in our hearts to You, God.  Whatever we do in word or deed, let us do all in Your name, LORD Jesus, giving thanks through You to God the Father.”

The Watchman on the Wall 2 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell