A teaching by Rev. Barbara Williams, President of the Ministry of the Watchman International
Week of July 17-21, 2023
MONDAY
Then the Lord awoke as from sleep, like a mighty man who shouts because of wine. And He beat back His enemies; He put them to a perpetual reproach.
Psalm 78:65-66
Was God asleep? How could this be? The Bible says that He who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. How can this be that Our God sleeps, but doesn’t sleep. In the passage of scripture the psalmist is giving a historical account of God’s dealing with His people, Israel. This Psalm talks of the many times God provided for the people, yet they returned and sinned.
This happened repeatedly in their history until the time of the seed of David, Jesus Christ the Messiah. This passage speaks of God’s dealings with man to bring forth justice for His people. After the people sinned, God handed them over into the power of their enemies. Then He awakens as a man out of sleep and smites the enemy for the sake of His people.
Does it seem at times that God is asleep and not paying attention to you? Perhaps you got yourself into the jam you’re in, perhaps not. Rest assured that in either case, God has not forgotten you. He will arise like one out of a sleep and roar at your enemies. He will not allow your enemies to triumph over you.
If you are in need of healing, there is good news! Proverbs 4:20-22 SAYS:
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
So there is life and health in God’s word. Since God’s word is medicine, we must take it like we would a prescription. I suggest three times a day, like you would your food. Remember, healing is the children’s bread. Consider this your “dose” for today. Remember, read, and meditate three times a day the following:
Rx: Isaiah 53:5 ~ But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15
If you’ve never studied the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, we invite you to join us as we read through the Bible in a year. Read and meditate on these chapters this week:
July 17: Joshua 24, Acts 4, Jeremiah 13, Matthew 27
July 18: Judges 1, Acts 5, Jeremiah 14, Matthew 28
July 19: Judges 2, Acts 6, Jeremiah 15, Mark 1
July 20: Judges 3, Acts 7, Jeremiah 16, Mark 2
July 21: Judges 4, Acts 8, Jeremiah 17, Mark 3
July 22: Judges 5, Acts 9, Jeremiah 18, Mark 4
July 23: Judges 6, Acts 10, Jeremiah 19, Mark 5
TUESDAY
Moreover He rejected the tent of Joseph, and did not choose the tribe of Ephraim, but chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion which He loved. And He built His sanctuary like the heights, like the earth which He has established forever.
Psalm 78:67-69
Your enemies are God’s enemies. We are in a covenant of Divine protection. When He awakens, He begins to set things in order. Not only does He scatter and rout the enemy, but also He established a dwelling place for Himself down here on earth. This is the answer to all our problems, dwelling with the Lord in His sanctuary. He builds a dwelling place for Himself within us, and establishes praise as the vehicle through which we contact Him. He makes us His high palaces; He establishes an everlasting dwelling place within us. We live and reign with Him forever.
WEDNESDAY
And He built His sanctuary like the heights, like the earth which He has established forever. He also chose David His servant, and took him from the sheepfolds; from following the ewes that had young He brought him, to shepherd Jacob His people, and Israel His inheritance.
Psalm 78:69-71
When God chooses to dwell with us, we are elevated to royalty with Him. We begin to prosper, we receive our health, we gain His peace, and we have a sound mind. All this because we worship Him and yield to His laws, His rule in our lives.
This is an awesome privilege that we enjoy. Just as He did His servant David, He finds us where we are and calls us out of our ordinary lives to live extraordinary lives in Him. What a wonderful God we serve. He is an awesome God. Call Him wonderful and awesome today. Expect Him to do wonderful and awesome things in your midst.
You are His palace. Let Him have His way with you today.
THURSDAY
He also chose David His servant, and took him from the sheepfolds; from following the ewes that had young He brought him, to shepherd Jacob His people, and Israel His inheritance.
Psalm 78:70-71
This is God’s promotion system. He takes you from your normal routine, just as He did David. He took David from the place of feeding and leading sheep to feeding and leading His people, Israel.
How has God promoted you in the past? Has he taken your natural talents and added His supernatural power to the things that you do?
Let Him do this. His yoke is easy and His burden light. This is an instant promotion. Whenever our load is lightened, we have promotion. Whenever God touches us, we are elevated. Whatever God does in our lives is a Good thing. Allow Him to do more. Don’t sweat it. Allow His peace to reign in your heart.
FRIDAY
So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.
Psalm 78:72
Trust God. He leads you in the way that is right for you. He leads according to the uprightness in His heart. Sometimes it means taking us where we don’t want to go. Sometimes it means remaining in a place longer than we like, but trust God. He is leading you by the skillfulness of His hands, which means you will be safe always and will prosper.
Let God awaken and dwell in you. His victory and peace will bring you promotion, an easy burden and a light yoke. Call upon Him as the Awesome God.