Saturday, January 16, 2010

Prayer - A Watchman's Duty

"My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct [my prayer] unto thee, and will look up." Ps 5:3 KJV

Those who know me, know that there are few things I like better than to unpack a Scripture, examine it, make it mine, put it neatly back together, apply it, and pass it on. The above verse caught my attention today.

Morning - means MORNING - day break (Strong's 1242)

Lord - We're talking about our self- existing Yehovah, He is that He is (Strong's 3068)

Direct my Prayer Unto Thee - Arak (Strong's 1694) - to arrange, set out, state in order as in a legal case!

Will Look Up - tsaphah (6822) - Ready? This word means to SPY, observe closely, to KEEP WATCH (a military term), enlighten with the eyes. Twenty times in the Old Testament this word is translated "Watchman".

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This speaks to me. Watchman - SPY - I've ALWAYS loved mysteries and wanted to be a spy. God is allowing me to be that in the spiritual realm.

A watchman has a responsibility to rise early and present prayer concerns in an intentional, systematic way. There is most likely a place for jello prayers. Being an observant spy for the Lord calls forth more order in my prayer life.

In order for God to "hear my voice at daybreak," I need to BE UP and SPEAKING TO HIM (not blogging, reading email, taking care of PWOC Regional business)....early in the a.m.

I've long held that early hours are the BEST time for me to complete unfinished household tasks, write Bible Study lessons, finish writing projects, get a jump start on the day's activities....a watchman is called to use those hours speaking to our always EXISTENT, Lord.

Two weeks into 2010 and God is starting to speak to me about the path He and I are on this year. I'm to be a conscientious, observant, spiritual spy and watchman.

I think the Holman Christian Study Bible translates this closest to the Hebrew...."At daybreak, Lord, You hear my voice; at daybreak I plead my case to You and watch expectantly."

Still, if we are left with the idea that we nonchalantly pray and then sort of wait to see what may happen...we miss what David is conveying. David is eager, intentional, diligent....He is guarding while he waits to see God at work....

I've really not organized "my musings"....as I have other parts of the blog, but if you'd like to read more musings such as this, click the category by that title in the side bar.

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

7 comments:

Darshia said...

This is excellent and makes perfect sense to me. I'm so pleased He's given you a watchman's work/understanding this year! Since submitting my life to Him in 2003, He's woken me almost nightly in the wee morning hours and that's our prayer time, but I never connected it before with being a watchman. Thank you for sharing this. The clarity is wonderful.

DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...

I've been in awe of how often watchman and hope are connected in the Word....watch for it this year. ::snort::

Darshia said...

Yes, Sis, since opening the eyes of my heart to His daily hope, I've been literally watching. He's permitting me to see the work of His hands in situations that many would call coincidence, but I'm seeing Divine design. He's growing some teachers at the school in faith. One shared the first instance with me after the fact, and our Lord let me witness the unfolding of the second event last week as it happened. It was so cool to watch. She and I spoke of it afterward with others hearing the conversation. One of the witnesses was present for both our conversations. I'm enjoying watching Him work and praying for those He's been drawing together.

He's even raised up a parent prayer warrior and she invited me to once a week walk around the outside of the school building with her and her daughter praying for the staff and students.

All this and we're only two weeks into the year! I'm excited and energized! My hope is overflowing and now I'm wondering...does this mean I'm a watchman too?

May I ask what emotion does "::snort::" mean? In the past I've interpreted it as derision or sarcasm or sometimes laughter. I'm confused this time when you wrote "...watch for it this year. ::snort::"

DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...

**In the past I've interpreted it as derision or sarcasm or sometimes laughter.**

Oh my goodness, maybe I need to blog this or add a definition in the sidebar. Snort is what I do when I laugh...it's meant to convey humor, delight, pure fun....NEVER derision or sarcasm. Sorry about that. I'll have to watch how I use it in the future if that's what I've been communicating. Sorry.

Love what God is showing up and look forward to watching your year unfold.

Darshia said...

Thank you for the explanation of ::snort::. I understand now. I'm one when I literally laugh too hard I do truly "snort".

DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...

Darshia - I do too - and thus the ::snort:: for humor.

Anonymous said...

Sis: Thanks! love/prayers --- Mom T.