Thursday, February 28, 2013

The Watchman Looks Ahead: Prayer note #120


  



   Dutch Sheets “Watchmen did not only guard cities and fields in Scripture.

   The Hebrew words translated “watchman” are natsar, shamar and tsaphah.  

   They mean to guard or protect by watching over, but also by ‘hedging around something’ as with thorns. 

   They even have the connotation of hiding or concealing something. 

   The watchmen – through – intercession – creates the secret place of protection (see Ps. 91)


   Another interesting meaning of tsaphah is to ‘lean forward and peer into the distance.’ 

   The connection to prayer should be obvious. The watchman looks ahead, ‘peering into the distance,’ to foresee the attacks of the enemy.

   He is pro-active, not re-active. This is prophetic intercession!



   Let’s look at several references where these words are used, with each usage referring to guarding or protecting something different. 

   The first is in Gen.2:15, which also happens to be the first time one of these words is used in the Bible. Then the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it” (italics- Sheets).



   Theologians have what is know as ‘the ‘law of first mention.’ 

   This refers to the general rule that the first time a mayor subject is mentioned in the Bible, significant facts are given concerning it that will remain consistent and relevant throughout the Scriptures.



   For example, the first mention of the serpent – Satan- is in Gen. 3:1: “Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, ‘Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden?’”   

It is easy to see this law at work here, as the verse speaks of Satan’s subtlety or craftiness. 

God is informing us of one of the most important things we must remember about Satan: He is far more dangerous to us as the crafty serpent than as a roaring lion.”


Today’s Prayer Note #120 - The Watchman Looks Ahead, taken from Dutch Sheets’ book, Intercessory Prayer (pgs. 243, 244)



The next Prayer Note: 3/5, Be defensive – Keep the Serpent Out!:  Prayer Note  #121

[I guess you get two posts today! I thought the  Rose for a Rose was for today...]

Prayer:  Father, may I begin to understand what it is You want me to do as far as praying for others is concerned. My desire is to allow You to use me in being open to how You want me to pray, and to be sensitive to Your leading.  In Jesus' name. Amen.

Our Scripture for today: Jer. 23:18 (NASB)  "But who has stood in the council of the LORD, that he should see and hear His word? Who has given heed to His word and listened?"

Today’s quote:   Mary Southerland “I want my life to really count, don’t you? We are never more like God than when we are reaching out in love to meet a need, comfort a broken heart, encourage a weary soul or challenge the darkness with His Light. 

On your journey today, look for those desperate ones who need you to be God with skin on.”

Our thought for today:  The commandments of God are not restrictive, they are protective.

Tomorrow’s post:  A Rose for a Rose  on GodVine

A popular post:     Tone Check    


A 31-day devotional book for
Women contemplating marriage
And looking for godly advice.





A Rose for a Rose




 

"Red roses were her favorites; her name
 was also Rose,And every year her husband 
sent them tied with pretty bows.

The year he died the roses were delivered 

to her door,The card said "Be My Valentine" 
like all the years before.



 

Each year he sent her roses and the note would always say,
"I love you even more this year than last year on this day,
My love for you will always grow with every passing year,"
She knew this was the last time that the roses would appear.

She thought he ordered roses in advance before this day,
Her loving husband did not know that he would pass away.
He always liked to do things early way before the time,
Then if he got too busy everything would work out fine.

She trimmed the stems and placed them in a very special vase,
Then sat the vase beside the portrait of his smiling face.
She would sit for hours in her husband's favorite chair,
While staring at his picture and the roses sitting there.

A year went by and it was hard to live without her mate,
With loneliness and solitude that had become her fate.
Then the very hour as on Valentines before,
The doorbell rang and there were roses sitting by her door.

She brought the roses in and then just looked at them in shock,
Then went to get the telephone to call the florist shop.
The owner answered and she asked him if he would explain,
Why would someone do this to her causing her such pain?

"I know your husband passed away more than a year ago,"
The owner said, "I knew you'd call and you would want to know."
"The flowers you received today were paid for in advance,
Your husband always planned ahead he left nothing to chance."

"There is a standing order that I have on file down here,
And he has paid well in advance you'll get them every year."
"There also is another thing that I think you should know,
He wrote a special little card he did this years ago."

"Then should ever I find out that he's no longer here,
That's the card that should be sent to you the following year."
She thanked him and hung up the phone her tears now flowing hard,
Her fingers shaking as she slowly reached to get the card.

Inside the card she saw that he had written her a note,
Then as she stared in total silence this is what he wrote.
Hello my love I know it's been a year since I've been gone,
I hope it hasn't been too hard for you to overcome.

I know it must be lonely and the pain is very real,
For if it was the other way I know how I would feel.
The love we shared made everything so beautiful in life,
I loved you more than words can say you were the perfect wife.

You were my friend and lover you fulfilled my every need,
I know it's only been a year but please try not to grieve.
I want you to be happy even when you shed your tears,
That is why the roses will be sent to you for years.

When you get these roses think of all the happiness,
That we had together and how both of us were blessed.
I have always loved you and I know I always will,
But my love you must go on you have some living still.

Please try to find happiness while living out your days,
I know it is not easy but I hope you find some ways.
The roses will come every year and they will only stop,
When your door's not answered when the florist stops to knock.

He will come five times that day in case you have gone out,
But after his last visit he will know without a doubt,
To take the roses to the place where I've instructed him,
And place the roses where we are together once again.


 
Today's Story  on GodVine    A Rose for Rose



Let’s pray:  May I remember to take one day at a time and live it the very best that I can. May what I choose to do honor and please You, my God. In Jesus' name, amen.


Our Scripture for encouragement:  Song of Solomon 8:7ab "Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it."



Today’s quote: Max Lucado “Holiness seeks to be like God. You want to make a difference in your world?  Live a holy life.  Be faithful to your spouse. Pay your bills. Be the employee who does the work and doesn’t complain. Don’t speak one message and live another!  Just be God in your world.”


Our thought for today:  Battle evil thoughts by using the Word of God.



Tomorrow’s post:  Rerouting - Rerouting  Randy Kilgore



A popular post:  REFRESHED AND RESTORED
    

A 31-day devotional book for
women contemplating marriage
and looking for godly advice.