TUESDAY, 8TH APRIL, 2025
THE WATCHMAN’S MANDATE – Pastor Chris
I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence, And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth (Isaiah 62:6-7).
Notice something profound the Lord did for Israel as read in our opening scripture: He appointed watchmen over Jerusalem. These were intercessors, praying tirelessly for the fulfilment of God’s will. Their role was to persist in prayer until Jerusalem became a praise in the earth.
This is a striking picture of the spiritual responsibility we bear today as God’s people; we’re His king-priests. We’re watchmen—entrusted with the divine mandate to watch and pray. The Lord Jesus Himself emphasized this when He was with His disciples before His arrest. He took Peter, James and John and shared His heart with them, saying, “…My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me” (Matthew 26:38). He needed them to join Him in watching and praying, but they fell asleep.
When Jesus returned and found them sleeping, He said, “…could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation…” (Matthew 26:40-41). He expected them to be vigilant in prayer during such a crucial time, yet they were unavailable. This teaches us an important lesson: as watchmen, we must remain spiritually alert and persistent in prayer.
Isaiah 62:7 instructs us to “…give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.” Ezekiel 3:17 also highlights our responsibility as watchmen: “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.”
This is our office—we’re called to stand in the gap and intercede for the fulfilment of God’s purposes on earth. Hallelujah! So never be casual with your times of prayer. The Bible says to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available, dynamic in its working (James 5:16).
PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for the privilege of being a watchman. I declare that my spiritual eyes are open, and I am vigilant in prayer, interceding for your will to be done here on earth. I’m strengthened to fulfil this responsibility faithfully, by the power of the Holy Spirit, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
1 Thessalonians 5:17 AMPC;
Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly];
1 Timothy 2:1-4;
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
James 5:16-18 AMPC
Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]. Elijah was a human being with a nature such as we have [with feelings, affections, and a constitution like ours]; and he prayed earnestly for it not to rain, and no rain fell on the earth for three years and six months. And [then] he prayed again and the heavens supplied rain and the land produced its crops [as usual].
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 11:37-54 & Judges 5-6
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 28:1-10 & Leviticus 8
