CONCERT OF PRAYER
Pray Week 681

“Watchman”

Ezekiel 33:1-9 (ESV) The word of the LORD came to me: … “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. If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.
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This might be my last chance
To tell him that You love him
What am I so afraid of? – Lyrics excerpted from Here I Go Again by Casting Crowns

During my service in the military, I would frequently be assigned night watchman duty. Hundreds of lives depended upon my remaining alert to any danger and to sound the alarm. It was a court martial offense to be found negligent in watchman duty. Our reference Scripture applies as much to us today as it did for Ezekiel in his day. As those who proclaim Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior we are commissioned as watchmen to proclaim the Truth of His Gospel. We are to sound the alarm to awaken those in danger from the enemy of their souls.

What are we afraid of? Why do we remain silent concerning the truth of the Gospel in the presence of those who need to hear it? Why do we move about in the world incognito, hiding our faith and blending into this dark world like chameleons?

Matthew 5:13-16 (ESV) “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

I repent of all the times I have failed to minister in Jesus’ Name to the strangers, friends, family, and co-workers when our lives have intersected by divine appointment. Sometimes we need to ‘butt-in’ to an overheard conversation and lovingly share the Truth of God’s Word to those who need to hear it. Sometimes we need to demonstrate God’s love by a sacrificial act on behalf of ‘the least of these’ and without speaking a word, communicate volumes about the Gospel message.

It is time, husband, for you to take a stand for Jesus in your home and not allow compromise to bring a false ‘peace’ in your home. It is time, parent, for you to fulfill your responsibility to train your child up in the Word of God and not to ignore the hard accountability discussions that you need to have with them. It is time, Christian, for you to take a stand for Jesus in your workplace and not blend into the coarse talk and worldly culture that is there.

Who do you know that is in danger of perishing? Don’t be the watchman who failed to sound the alarm. Pray that the Lord will show you who needs to hear the Gospel and that He will open the door for you and empower you by His Holy Spirit to boldly share the good news of Jesus Christ with them.

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & rededication of your work to the glory of God