THE WATCHMEN
In the Old Testament, the Lord appointed certain individuals to keep an eye on society. They were considered prophets, who provoked the people to repent from evil and return to God. These individuals were called watchmen. A few famous watchmen (and women) from the Bible were – Isaiah, Ezekiel, Deborah, Jeremiah and Daniel.
So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from My mouth, you shall give them warning from Me. Ezekiel 33:7
Watchmen were expected to be guardians over the people. Sometimes they were literally on a watchtower, keeping an eye on the horizon, being alert to any threat. If there was any danger, they would sound the alarm. We see this in a spiritual sense as well. When people began to live corruptly, the watchmen were obligated to call it out and demand repentance. Watchmen were God’s mouthpiece and were expected to stay awake on their watch. They were devoted to God and fully guided by Him, not their own selfish ambitions. Otherwise their efforts would have been all in vain.
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. Psalm 127:1
STAY AWAKE
In the New Testament, devoted followers of Jesus, have the Holy Spirit. We are to submit our life to Jesus and live for Him alone. We are also called to stay awake.
And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears we may have confidence and not shrink from Him in shame at His coming. 1 John 2:28
In this day and age, we are still called to watch over God’s people. In my opinion, Jesus referred to this as feeding His sheep. Jesus basically told Peter this three times, stressing the importance of caring for others.
He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” and he said to Him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.” John 21:17
Those who fully submit to Jesus are automatically watchmen/watchwomen. When the Holy Spirit dwells within us, we will deeply care about the holiness of the church. Being immersed in the Word of God helps us understand God’s desire for His people and His church more thoroughly.
Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Matthew 24:42-44
APATHY
To be spiritually asleep, means to be spiritually inactive. Those who are spiritually asleep are not building up the church because they are not actively participating in what the Holy Spirit is wanting. Unfortunately, they may be in agreement with the ways of the world which is actually in opposition to God. A lazy Christian may not even be aware of the ways they are compromising because they are not spending time with God or reading His Word.
Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’ But He answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. Matthew 25:11-13
THE HOUSE
Jesus has left us in charge. I worry that He may not be please with what He’s seeing from us Christians. My heart was so convicted after reading scriptures about staying awake. It’s so easy to get into a habit of looking at my phone instead of praying first thing in the morning or reading my Bible. It’s so easy to slip into laziness and watch tv or just do what everyone else is doing because spiritual discipline is hard. The enemy loves using distractions to pull us away from the Lord. But these distractions break God’s heart.
Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore stay awake – for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning – lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake. Mark 13:33-37
Being on guard is being awake. Watchmen who were standing guard on a literal tower had different shifts throughout the night. We are still called to stay awake through the different watches. The devil’s strategy is to entice us to sin and to distract us from our job to stay awake. If we are being sucked into apathy, entertainment, addiction, etc. we will no longer be watchmen.
How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man. Proverbs 6:9-11
NUMBING IT DOWN
It’s understandable to feel the weight of darkness in the world. However, despite this, we are called to have a clear head and be on watch. That’s what a warrior does and we are soldiers in a spiritual battle. We must try our best to be in a good state of mind for ourselves, our families and others who need Jesus.
But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man. Luke 21:34-36
I KNOW YOUR WORKS
The Lord sees all that we do. When we are too distracted to spend time with God, then we are spending all our time in the world which is the devil’s playground. We have to be diligent, to stay on guard (awake) so that we do not slip into laziness or distraction, being led astray by the cares of the world and therefore being subject to the devils tactics.
‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.’ Revelation 3:1-3
What a shocking statement from Jesus to the church of Sardis. I feel like it could be a message to us as well as a very strong warning to wake up and be alert to the state of our surroundings. There are many warnings in our Bible that we are not to be deceived. Instead we are to be alert to what is happening around us.
Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.” 1 Corinthians 15:33-34
DON’T BE CAUGHT OFF GUARD
It’s important to stand for truth even when it’s hard. This spiritual fight has been extremely difficult these last couple years. But it is always darkest before a breakthrough. We must hold on to hope. When we feel weak, we have an advocate who fights for us. Sometimes Jesus will strengthen us through other believers. And sometimes He uses scripture to put peace in our hearts. Read your Bibles and pray every day to stay in the Lord’s covering. He will guide us through any obstacle. Be strong. You are not alone.
And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake. Mark 13:37
Leave a Reply