6 On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have appointed and stationed watchmen (prophets), Who will never keep silent day or night; You who profess the Lord, take no rest for yourselves,
Isaiah 62:6
Here again we find one of those terms many religious men and women tend to use, thinking they have the right to correct every single born again believer that crosses their path. In fact, I have seen many take it upon themselves to correct even certain pastors, sending lengthy e-mails as to what they had said in one of their sermons. The more daring ones take it as far as actually phoning them in order to correct them or wanting to set up meetings for them to meet.
But let’s be clear on one thing: without relationship your correction will never be taken under advisement. Those who run with this thought that they are watchman for the Kingdom of God are often nothing more than watchdogs, thinking they have the right to bark whatever thought enters into their heart and mind.
The Lord has called us to look out for one another. I have to keep stressing the fact that without an actual relationship in place, you will never achieve the work the Lord has called us to.
If this isn’t clear enough, I want you to think about how the Lord Himself goes about correcting men and women found in the world. He won’t simply correct without first trying to establish an actual relationship. Even in the moments that He does correct, He will do it in such a loving and gentle manner – all in the hopes of building something lasting with that particular individual.
I’m not disputing the fact that there are genuine watchmen out there, looking after the doctrine the church preaches. But I’m certain that these men and women would do it in the way the Lord directs them – which again will be in a manner of establishing something lasting, loving and kind.
The Kingdom doesn’t really have enough true watchmen, looking after the children of the most High God. We have watchdogs running around, snarling at all those who do not adhere to the word of God according to their personal doctrine. This type of approach has never drawn people to a loving God, but has kept them walking miles around Him for fear of being bitten by one of these watchman.
Sadly they will never come to see and experience a loving Saviour and will inevitably end up reaching the gates of hell. All because they had a misconception of what the one true living God is really like.
I’m not saying we need to handle every single person with kid gloves, as there will be a direct word needed to bring about a change to a person’s current situation. But once again, you will find this more effective if you have taken the time to establish a relationship beforehand – they will receive it a lot easier.
So to all those aspiring watchmen, watching over the children of God, might I remind you that God reaches out in order to establish a relationship. We are not called to make the journey even harder, but to help show them just how simple it really is to walk alongside the Lord.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father. There is no doubt you have called us to look out for one another, like watchmen on the wall looking out for the enemy on the horizon. Help me to reach out in such a manner that draws people to You and not keeps them at bay. I pray this in Jesus mighty name. Amen.