Ezekiel 3:17New International Version (NIV)

¹⁷ “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.

Watchmen are front line soldiers. They see things in a distance, observing what is happening. They lean forward into prayer. Sometimes they see with eyes of discernment. They see things in advance. The Holy Spirit gives insight to intercede.

The word, watchman, comes from a Greek word, watch. It means to be vigilant, wake, to be watchful. Jim Goll, a well known author says this, “A watchman on the wall does many things. He carefully watches what is happening and alerts the community when good ambassadors approach the city. A watchman also warns the city far in advance when an enemy approaches. He sounds the alarm to awaken the city to forewarn them and alert them.

What does watching mean for you personally? Your first watch is your family. Are you in prayer for them? Praying for your wife if you are married and praying for your children is being a watchman. Ask the Lord to help you perceive oncoming danger.

Are you a watchman in your community? Are you praying for your civic leaders. Are you praying over your schools and other locations in your community? Are you asking the Lord’s help to pray for a wall of protection over your community? Pray for salvation. Pray for those who do not know our Lord or have a personal relationship with him.

We also need watchmen for our nation. Ezekiel 33:10 says, ‘Our offenses and sins weigh us down, we are wasting away because of them’. 

Men, we must choose to no longer coast through life. The enemy is prowling, looking for those to devour. Our relationship with Jesus has become fallow, and we need to become awakened. Rise up watchmen of the night. Let’s unite in prayer asking for forgiveness and live faithful lives with unreserved obedience.

Strength and Courage

Michael