Be a Watchman!
Scripture readings, Ezekiel 3:17 and Ezekiel 33:14.
I remember when my friends and I would play a game called capture-the-flag playground style. It was like regular capture the flag you’d play on the field in P.E. but instead of the game being played on the field, it was played on the playground. It made it interesting because you had to work against obstacles and there were places to hide and sneak around to get to the flag. One of the greatest strategies was having a couple of teammates be lookouts to tell you if retrieving the flag was safe. If we didn't have them do this, we wouldn't get a warning and could easily get tagged out.
In Ezekiel 3 God gave the Prophet a special task. That task was to be a watchman. Ezekiel 3:17 says Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. Ezekiel was to give a warning to the captives of Judah in Babylon of God’s judgment. Not only Judgment but also hope. Ezekiel 33:14-15, says, Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right; If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live. God Promises forgiveness if we repent, turn away from sins, and live a Godly life.
If we don’t, Ezekiel warns that there will be consequences If we continue in sin. In further reading of Ezekiel 33-34, we see that some listen to God and some don’t, which we then see the fall of Jerusalem. The point is, even though some chose to ignore Ezekiel’s warning of God’s Judgment, he didn't get discouraged and kept delivering the message. As Christians, we need to be a watchman for others and ourselves just as Ezekiel. Just like that game of Capture the Flag, to succeed in the game, you need a lookout man to warn you if the coast is clear so you have a better chance of winning the game. It's time to take a stand and be that lookout man.
We can do this by being an encouragement to others and to continue to spread the truth of Jesus Christ our Lord. keep soulwinning, turn away from sin and continue to strengthen your walk with God by being in prayer everyday. If you’re a parent, be a watchman for your children. If you're a Spouse, be a watchman for your wife or husband.
If you’re a pastor, be a watchman for your congregation. Most importantly if you are a born-again believer, be a watchman for the unsaved whose eternity is at stake. I encourage you to talk about Jesus to someone today. Whether that’s just passing out a tract, reaching out to a loved one or simply telling someone that Jesus loves them, it's time to be a watchman for someone and to deliver the message of hope.
Stay blessed!