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    


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