The Morning Watch

Watching darkness disappear and the new day dawn
has always been a favorite of mine. 

As a young child, I was introduced to the MORNING WATCH by the gonging of a camp bell announcing the time for all campers to gather at the lake front, sit on dew-soaked benches, and as a group be led to consider God's Word. Admittedly, I can't say that it was a spiritual favorite to me in those early years. My little heart only longed to hear that relief bell call me from a dark lonely night in a hot stuffy cabin full of noisy strangers. I ran longingly, looking in every direction for a sibling or across the bridge to see the familar gait of my Dad coming to join me. I know I felt relief for making it through the night and re-connecting with family. Believe me! I was not an advocate of age related cabins which left me alone with strangers & weird noises in the dark! Mornings couldn't come soon enough for me! 
I remember those actual gatherings to be scary, intimadating, yet in a way, quite fun! Scary because there was no way I would speak up!  Each morning, the camp director would give us a WORD to encourage recall of memorized Bible verses.  The older campers 'popcorn' action of jumping up, quoting, or reading a verse on the topic was so fascinating. There were many times I was really surprised the Bible had so much to say on some particular word the director would suggest.  The MORNING WATCH session would end with the director's wrap-up thoughts & prayer for the day just as another gong would rush us off for breakfast. 

Sunrise among shadows

 Now, years later, the MORNING WATCH is still a sweet favorite time to be treasured. My friends know that as an adult, I decide when my mornings begin, never needing the piercing gong of an alarm clock! Throughout the years, often in darkness. I slowly wandered to my corner chair to meet with the Lord and be encouraged with Scriptures.
Now, in our new Florida home, a new pleasure for MORNING WATCH is a recliner on our screened patio. In solitude & darkness, as my fingers wrap around a coffee cup, my slippers shuffle their way outside & I settle comfortably to WATCH morning "happen". 

I love the quiet darkness with the gentle breezes moving the shadowy ferns. I find comfort taking shape as dark palm trees outline the gentle hues of the sky. I wait quietly as the beams of sun paint the sky, welcoming another warm day. Eventually, the light draws so close, I enjoy a sparkling dance on the pool water as dew drops on the screen break the sunrays patterns. Each morning, I watch in awe as the beautiful skies "declare the glory of God, & the firmament shows His handiwork"!  
Anyone awake & watching hear nature's declaration of "the glory of God"!  

   Finally, as the sun rises in the sky, I grab a quick breakfast,  and with my Bible & my journal, I continue my time out on the patio. Just as those MORNING WATCH times taught me so many years ago, I turn to Scriptures for the WORD of the day. To make things even more fun, a prophet's testimony in Isaiah 50:4 challenged me about 4 years ago to diligently be among those who are taught by finding a WORD during my lessons with God. 

 "The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, so that I should know how to speak A WORD in season to him that is weary."

How awesome the challenge to be among those who have been taught!

There is a huge difference between having a familarity with God's promises & actually looking expectantly to watch a faithful God keep those promises with you. Actually, I believe one must believe the promises belong to them before they look for their personal fulfillment.
It is a great comfort to read that Jesus would send His Holy Spirit to help us, but it is far more exhilarating to receive the reward  those promises grant when one is willing to be taught. I've seen many precious prepared ones risk all with a ready WORD as they observe those who are weary, needing nourishment & encouragement.  I long to be among these spiritual ones and be prepared to lift up & encourage others with the WORD of God! 

Daylight Bible time

In John 14, Jesus said the Holy Spirit will "teach you all things" and "bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you." 

In John 16, Jesus said the Comforter  "will guide you into all truth" and "show you things to come". 
This past Sunday, I was shown this promise in Deut 29:29 "The secret things belong to our LORD GOD, but those things which are revealed BELONG to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the WORDS of this book [law]."
This is exactly what I claim when I attend my Morning Watch with open Scriptures. God through Jesus, the WORD, has revealed truth. I want to know what belongs to me and my children forever! I want to know we may do all the words of God's Book. Because of this desire, I conclude I must know His WORD. 

So, my list of reasons to be taught is long, including "to know the only true God & His Son whom He has sent into the world" (Jn 17:3), and "to know & observe all that is written therein", (Josh 1:8-9) because Scriptures declares that when these things are revealed, they belong to me and my children. (Deut 29:29). This "Isaiah challenge" is also a reason I want to be taught. All around us there are discouraged people, weary of well-doing, suffering neglect & abused by power. I'm convinced that to have the tongue of the taught will make me ready to SPEAK a WORD to sustain, to encourage, to bring nourishment, to lift up. 

"The LORD GOD has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a WORD him who is weary."

My Morning Watch practice follows this goal. As I read Scriptures, I write down what each verse is saying, often adding several versions so that synonyms used help my understanding. I give a one sentence to my reading chart to make sure I'm grasping  understanding. I add cross references to emphasize the context & often complete passages are read to get a larger picture of what is being taught. When my own study is satisfied, I turn to the material of a Bible study I've joined for fellowship. I study their daily lesson. I look for a common thread, a WORD found throughout my activities of Morning Watch. In my journal, I keep record of the WORD I've been given each day. My drawn chart lists ONE WORD each day to help me remember to carry God's Word through my activities.

Journal ONE WORD in a MONTH @ a Glance

As I go about my day, I listen expectantly for the WORD. In each conversation, news & media readings, activities & fellowship, & even telephone visits,  I listened carefully for that WORD to be used.  Hearing that WORD is my cue that God's WORD needs to be brought into my communication. Someone in conversation, or even my own heart, needs to be encouraged and lifted up from weariness. I believe God is faithful to open our eyes of understanding when we "search" with all our heart. This ONE WORD practice has taught me to be fully engaged in listening. It has allowed me to even hear deeper things that have been left unspoken, yet have wearied the burden bearer & I can bring these things to God in prayer.

 
What a thrill it has been to hear "the" WORD and be ready to encourage with Scriptures.  In my own life, this practice has made His Holy Spirit's Presence so evident. I have felt prepared, & even confident, as I've seen the evidence of the loving Father using my tongue to encourage another one of His children. Each conversation, whether phone or in person, becomes opportunities to bless someone, knowing that God also promises "His WORD will never return to Him empty or void. I've even noticed that my perspective for doing errands in town has become Watch Tower times as I look around me and observe "him who is weary". 

Lately, it has been also good for me to close out a month by looking at my ONE WORD CHART. I see how those daily WORDS have impacted my life & activiities. I see a connection of my own personal MORNING WATCH times being confirmed in activities, conversations, church messages, Bible studies & times of fellowship. Following the trail of ONE WORD studies, I realize I've seen the evidence of things not seen and have known the substance of things hoped for. This path of tracing ONE WORD in my MORNING WATCH shows that God definitely orders my steps, often with profound lessons teaching me to walk by faith.

Most of all, I am learning to REST in the faithfulness of my loving Father. 

In John 16:33, Jesus concludes his message with this WORD. 
"These things I have spoken unto you, that IN ME you might have PEACE. In the world you shall have tribulation, BUT be of good cheer. I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD. "

AND His WORD sustains me.