WATCHMEN OF THE WALL

In ancient times people built huge walls around their city to keep the people safe. There would be three shifts throughout the night to keep watch for any possible enemy that would come to harm them. The men of these shifts were called the Night Watchmen. They would walk on top of the wall around the city watching to see any need to sound an alarm. They were also assigned to light street lamps throughout the city on the first watch. The first shift was from 6 pm to 10 pm then the second shift was from 10 pm to 2 am and then finally the morning shift was from 2 am to 6 am. Now at 6 am, the Watchmen would blow the horn to announce it was morning and time to get up and start your day.

Now today our Night Watchmen would be considered the police who patrol at night in our towns and cities. The military scans the skies at night to detect any possible attacks on the country itself. 

Now I would like to focus on who is the Night Watchmen of our spiritual lives? Usually, that is ourselves and some of us have those who care about our spiritual lives that could be considered Night Watchmen. The Lord Jesus Christ said we need to be watchful just like the men on the walls. 

1 Peter 5:8 says, Discipline yourselves; keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour.

Luke 21:36 Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place and stand before the Son of Man.

1 Corinthians 16:13 Keep alert; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong

So how do we watch? I believe it begins with a strong prayer life. Pray like Daniel of the Old Testament. He prayed in the morning for God's guidance. He prayed in the middle of the day for continued strength. He prayed at the end of the day with thankfulness and a blessing of safe sleep. 

Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving.

Secondly, we spend time in the study of the Holy Bible. Seek God's wisdom and guidance in the ancient pages of these holy words of God. 

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,.

1 Peter 1:20-21 First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

Revelation 1:3 Blessed is the one who reads the words of the prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

Finally, surround yourself with the fellowship of like believers so you may pray for one another, worship with one another, and share the Holy Communion with each other. Helping each other remain strong in the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.

Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

May you have a burning desire in your heart to be a Watchman of your soul.

(NRSVue)