The good watchman

The good watchman

Scripture:- For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth. Isaiah 21:6

Observation:- Exploring further into Isaiah and his prophecy to the nations, we see one of the first references to the watchman. Later in Ezekiel, God appoints the prophet as a watchman in Israel. Traditionally, the role of the watchman is to watch, to stand guard, to sound the alarm and quickly alert the people if there is danger on the horizon - an invading army, a band of robbers, any type of trouble or distress that is coming upon the city.

In a way, we are also watchmen for God, some of us very particularly so. But what are the characteristics of a good watchman?

Firstly, a good watchman has Vision. The watchman opens his eyes and sees what is happening on the world’s horizon. He understands the developments in the world from a biblical point of view, and is able to encourage the church in the way it should go. The watchman is like the men of Isaachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel must do. In this day and age, the Church of God is beginning to move increasingly into the marketplace. More and more believers begin to see themselves as the light and salt of the earth right where they are, and begin to impact workplace and society as they honor God. In the day of the megachurch and growth of churches in diverse countries, the watchmen also has to pay particular heed to the diverse teachings entering the church. There is a need to be like the Bereans who studied the word to see if Paul’s teachings were true.

Secondly, a good watchman has Courage and Integrity. A watchman is useless if he quivers and shakes at the sight of approaching armies and runs and hides. He is only useful if he immediately runs and sounds the alarms, telling his people of the approaching danger. Some will heed while others may ignore him, but he will do his duty and keep warning them. In this respect, the good watchman also must have integrity. If he has lied before about approaching danger, it is hard for people to believe him as his credibility is in doubt. With courage and integrity, we have a strong foundation in the words we speak to others, because they know we can be trusted.

Thirdly, a good watchman has Perseverance in Prayer. When Jesus went into the Garden of Gethsemane to pray, He asked His inner circle, James, Peter and John to watch with him. He exhorted them “Watch and pray, the spirit is willing but the body is weak”. A good watchman needs perseverance in prayer to breakthrough and see the vision that God has prepared for him. Our Lord Jesus, the prophet Daniel, Moses, David and many other great men and women of God all spent time persevering in prayer, and God indeed showed them great and wonderful things. We too need to learn to Persevere in Prayer before God

Application:- Aim to be a good watchman for God by seeking Vision, establishing courage and integrity in our daily lives and persevering in prayer to seek God’s will.

Prayer: Lord, open my eyes that I may see. Let courage and integrity be cornerstones of my heart, and strengthen me that I may persevere in prayer as I seek Your face. In Jesus name, Amen.