WATCHMAN

A term/title/occupation that seems to be something that is a recurring question, challenge, and sometimes thorn. I believe Father has called me to be a Watchman. And I have been questioning myself in this role and whether I should ever write about it. It is not a role that I relish in. But in saying that, I also know my position in Christ and the other gifts my Father has given me.
What does the Watchman do? A Watchman stands at an elevated position so he can see. What is he looking for? He gives the “current condition” report. Maybe like the weather report-skies are clear no rain in sight, or a big storm is coming so prepare, or the enemy is advancing and to announce which direction they are coming from.
But in today’s context I not only see the Watchman looking out, but also inside the walls. If there has been no Watchman or he was sleeping, the enemy has more than likely already entered. God’s word warns in Ezekiel 33 that a Watchman’s duty is to warn the people. If he does not, either by disobedience or neglect, the blood is on his hands. He will be held accountable. The job of a Watchman is to report what he sees-that’s all, that’s his obligation. If people choose not to heed the warning, that is their choice. He did his job. Some will heed the warnings, many will not. They figure since they do not see it, it cannot be real; even though they are not on the tower looking they still figure they can see everything they need to and ignore the warning and go back to believing everything is fine and will be. God is in control; He wouldn’t let anything bad happen. When in fact, it was God that gave the warning. HE is the one that appointed the Watchman.
But human nature is such that when the news is something we don’t want to hear, we “shoot the messenger”. It seems easier than having to prepare for the coming storm or battle.
No, we use aphorism like, “God’s in control, it will all work out”. Work out for whom? “God will not let it fail, we have invested too much.” Who determines success of failure-you or God? Or one I think is very dangerous is “God is bigger than the problems I cause or the mistakes I make.” Yes, he is! But He is also a loving Father who allows us to suffer our consequences and He will also discipline His children when they refuse to listen.
Who are the Watchman in your church, community, organization? Do you listen to them? Or do you blow them off because they tell you what you don’t want to hear? Do you see them as being negative? Or when you hear them do you seek the Lord’s counsel on what to do? OR do you stick your head in the sand? Or do you have too much on your plate and you are hoping someone else will deal with it (only if it is true of course?)
Remember though, that a Watchman can only report what he is seeing, and he doesn’t always see the whole picture. He warns/reports potential dangers. And when things look good (the sky is clear), a Watchman doesn’t need to be asked what the “current conditions” are. His job is to just keep people updated. Kind of like the news at the top of the hour-if there is any news to report. He reports whether you want to know or not. And often, he isn’t real eager to give the report. But he must; because he is called to.
So let me ask you, are you a Watchman? If so, are you doing your job?
If you are a husband or a father, you are a Watchman called to protect your family from danger. That is one position you can not outsource.
If you are a minister or elder or board member of any kind, you are a Watchman along with others in your church/organization?
What do you see? Have you looked? Or have you been too busy “doing the Lord’s work” or “the daily business” to notice? Watchmen are desperately needed in today’s culture/church.
If you are not a watchman, do you know the watchman on your walls? Pray that God would continue to raise up BOLD Watchman who will sound the alarm (as needed). Pray that their warnings will be heeded by those in leadership and they will seek the Lord and act upon as the Lord leads.