Previously, we discussed two responsibilities of the role of watchmen. You can review that article here:
Today, we will discuss three more responsibilities to consider as we learn more about the role of spiritual watchmen.
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RELY ON GOD
It is far easier for most of us to rely on our natural senses and abilities than it is to rely on God. The later, however is far more important. He knows far more than our senses or abilities can ever tell us. He is the perfect and ultimate watchman.
“Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain.” Psalm 127:1 (NASB)
“Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade on your right hand. The sun will not smite you by day, Nor the moon by night. The LORD will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever.” Psalm 121:4-8 (NASB)
SUBMIT TO AUTHORITY
The watchman has an important job listening to the voice of the Lord and watching for threats. It is not his job however to make sure that all his warnings go headed, only that they are heard. Once the warning is passed on to the leader, it is out of the watchman’s hands. If a watchman leaves the wall to implement a response to the warning then the city no longer benefits from up-to-date intelligence.
Too often when watchmen hear from God, their pride kicks into gear and they begin to look down on their leaders. They might say something like, “I see much farther than the leader.” Well of course they do, they are up on the wall. The job of the leader is to be working among the people of the city and therefore will often not be able to see what is coming far off. That is exactly why the watchman is assigned to his post.
The watchmen of old, had no authority to rally the militia, make organizational decisions, or tell the king how to do his job. It was upon the watchmen however to report to the king, not the people.
“For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” Matthew 8:9 (NASB)
“For I also am a man placed under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” Luke 7:8 (NASB)
REMIND GOD OF HIS PROMISES
Since the watchman can never sleep on duty and since threats are usually few and seldom, the watchman has a lot of time to pray (with his eyes open.) One of the things they did, was remind God of His promises over their city and people. God is delighted when we repeat and thank Him for the words He has already spoken to us.
“On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen; All day and all night they will never keep silent. You who remind the LORD, take no rest for yourselves; And give Him no rest until He establishes And makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.” Isaiah 62:6-7 (NASB)
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In the next blog, we will discuss the final two responsibilities of watchman as we ask ourselves, Are You a Watchman?
Shalom!
Rodney