Are You a Watchman on the Wall for Others?
I’m a watchman on the wall for my family and others. For me, standing as a sentry protecting loved ones is my most important, earthly job. I agree with what Isaiah wrote.
Isaiah 21:8
O Lord, I stand continually on the watchtower by day, and I am stationed every night at my guard post.
What is a watchman on the wall? What are the signs you are a watchman?
I don’t guard goods. When I pray, I protect my family, others, and places from evil and danger. God gives watchmen specific assignments—individuals, families, other believers, cities, borders or to watch over Israel.
Most Christians don’t give much thought to being spiritual watchmen but they should. Why? You could make the difference as to whether a person or physical territory thrives or languishes.
Being a watchman comes with enormous responsibilities. Watchmen in the Old Testament stood on city walls and stayed alert to danger, especially enemy attacks. They would sound a trumpet alarm if anything looked suspicious putting their lives in danger to protect others.
It’s now the 21st century. Many want to understand the watchman on the wall meaning and how it applies to them.
A Watchman on the Wall Prays
Watchmen are God’s guardians and therefore called to watch and pray. As a watchman, you don’t pray based on feelings. You stay sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading and respond quickly to how He moves.
A prayer warrior takes up the mantle as a watchman by “rejoicing in hope and persevering in tribulation” (Romans 12:12) and “praying without ceasing” (I Thessalonians 5:17). That doesn’t mean you don’t do other things. It does mean that prayer is always on your mind.
That’s because uppermost in a watchman’s life is concern for others. You experience temporary moments of grief and anguish when families struggle, churchgoers exit from church life, and evil seems to ramp up in intensity.
As a watchman on the wall, you know that giving your concerns to God gets results you could never orchestrate on your own.
A Watchman Stays Committed
Being on the front lines of a spiritual battle day after day can be disheartening. Yet, God expects the same vigilance from you and me as he did from Ezekiel.
Ezekiel 3:17-18
Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for Israel. Whenever you receive a message from me, warn people immediately. If I warn the wicked, saying, ‘You are under the penalty of death,’ but you fail to deliver the warning, they will die in their sins. And I will hold you responsible for their deaths.
Paul served as a watchman over churches and today’s Christians should warn other believers who are overtaken by sin. Regardless of the personal cost, a watchman is a servant to others on behalf of Christ. A watchman sees with spiritual eyes and a heart sold out to Jesus.
A Watchman on the Wall Knows the Enemy’s Tactics
I outline in 3 Steps to Fight a Spiritual Battle and Win how to recognize the signs you’re in a spiritual battle and the importance of putting on God’s armor. Below is the 3rd step about believing that God is bigger than the battle. All watchmen know how the enemy works and aren’t afraid of his tactics.
Do you think David noticed Goliath’s stature as he slung the stones? Nope. He focused on how big God is. Don’t be deceived. God knows what goes on behind enemy lines. He gives believers a battle plan so you aren’t silenced by attacks.
Jehoshaphat defeats Moab and Ammon by seeking God. He and the people fasted, prayed, praised God, and waited for His counsel. A prophet delivers God’s message. “He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.”
God tells the people to take their positions and stand still. They won’t even need to fight. King Jehoshaphat sends singers out first to praise God. Praises confused the enemy so that they killed each other. God turned Judah’s dire circumstances into a Valley of Berakah which means blessing.
Watchmen place themselves under God’s authority to outlast the enemy. We wait for God’s instructions because He is on our side. We recognize the enemy’s plans, wear the full armor, and put our trust in God, believing we never fight alone.
A Watchman Sees People’s Needs
I stay on the lookout for ways to help people. It could be something as simple as helping someone find what they need when shopping. You could give a compliment to a stranger, give up your space on a crowded bus, or take supper to a lonely neighbor.
A watchman is a person full of love and joy. Those virtues work together and spill over into acts of kindness to help broken people. You take risks, expend energy, and use every available means to lessen someone’s suffering.
A Watchman on the Wall Builds God’s Kingdom
By staying pure, holy, and righteous, a watchman on the wall is spiritually awake. A watchman brings his/her A-game to the darkest times. Who can deny that darkness covers the earth and time draws closer to Christ’s return?
While others are asleep spiritually, you can separate yourself to stay in God’s presence and remain vigilant amidst the influence of a perishing world. You can be instrumental in bringing others to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
You can’t be both kingdom-minded and worldly-minded.
Romans 12:2
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
The Kingdom of God is inside you waiting to be released to others through whatever outreach you choose. Start a website ministry, evangelize as God leads you, and find ways to advance the Christian faith.
It’s important to know the characteristics of a watchman. Wherever God places you, be a watchman on His behalf. Pray, stay committed, be wise to Satan’s tactics, and meet people’s needs, however great or small. You will build God’s Kingdom one soul at a time.