The Watchman

“For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth.” – Isaiah 21:6

In Isaiah’s day the watchman would stand atop a castle wall and look out through the night, ever attentive of danger and destruction looming; ready to cry and wake the people should the enemy approach.  The watchman of today’s age is vastly different from the watchman in Isaiah’s time.  These days, what watches over our kingdom is: security systems, artificial intelligence, cameras, lasers, spy planes, satellites, and who knows what else.  The watcher and the wall look very different in the 20th century.  However, the watchman over our soul has remained the same, and will remain throughout the ages.

The value of the watchman is his boldness and attentiveness.  Since no king would want his kingdom to be caught by surprise, they set someone high on the wall to keep watch over the kingdom and the surrounding land.  If any threat drew near, they were to declare it, and by declaring, affirm danger was coming.  In a sense, every man and woman on earth has a “kingdom”.  That is not to say that we are more important than the other, but rather, that God has given us the gift of choice and free will.  We decide what to do with our time here on earth, and in that borrowed time we are vouchsafed a "kingdom" of sorts.  It is as much ours as God grants to us, so perhaps we are more stewards over this kingdom than kings, but nevertheless, God has set a watchman for us.  He has not left our souls in jeopardy, nor did he leave his prized creation to the enemy without abundant protection.  God does all things well, and he has set a watchman.  This came at great cost, for God sent his only Son Jesus Christ to bleed and die on a cross.  Jesus would then rise on the third day, conquering death, hell, and the grave.  Jesus went back to heaven and sent the Holy Ghost to abide with whosoever will repent, and invite the Holy Ghost to come in.  We are “kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”  The Holy Ghost will not only keep you, but it will direct you.  It will help you and warn you of danger.  There are many wonderful attributes to the Holy Ghost and the work he performs within a man or woman's life, and the way he watches over our soul is certainly one of them.  When you have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, you have the power of God within to face every wicked thing without.  Do you think the power of God can keep you?  Is it more powerful than the power of the devil?  Certainly!  There is no enemy that is stronger or greater than God.  You do not have to fight alone, there is a power far greater than you or me that can dwell within and keep “the kingdom.”  We must yield to it, listen to it, and leave off anything that hinders our hearing the blessed Holy Ghost’s watchful cry.

God will not only save you from sin, but he will keep you from sin.  He will not only save you from danger, but he will keep you from danger.  He will not only save you from destruction, but he will keep you from destruction.  The Holy Ghost will act as a watchman over your soul, lovingly and firmly leading/warning you of dangers.  Guiding you away from the snare of the enemy and at times, abruptly showing you the way not to go.  If you commit to Him, he will commit to you; and as you look to Jesus, Jesus will look out for you.