Walls, Gates and Street Watchmen
Watchmen have scheduled of times and places of responsibility.
“And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone. And the watchman cried and told the king. And the king said, If he be alone, there is tidings in his mouth. And he came apace and drew near.” 2 Samuel 18:24-25 KJV
“The watchmen that go about the city found me: To whom I said, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?” Song of Solomon 3:3 KJV
In ancient times, watchmen played distinct roles. Those on the walls were responsible for spotting potential threats from a distance, those at the gates-controlled access, and those within the city monitored internal activities and security. Each had specific duties to ensure the safety of the community.
Do you know your watch time, area of responsibility? This is important because the Holy Spirit aligns us with heavenly host who usually join us when we are at our duty place of prayer and time. The inspired words of Dr Luke wrote.
”a devout man, fearing God with all his house, giving many alms to the people, and praying to God continually. This man saw in a vision clearly, at about the ninth hour of the day, the Angel of God entering to him and saying to him: "Cornelius!" And he, gazing at him, was seized by fear, and he said, "What is it, Lord?" And he said to him: "Your prayers and your almsgiving have ascended as a memorial in the sight of God.“ Acts 10:2-4 CPDV
Another example is when Jesus was strengthened by an angelic watcher in Gethsemane while watching.
Let us again read the experience of Daniel.
” And while I was still speaking and praying and confessing my sins, and the sins of my people, Israel, and offering my prayers in the sight of my God, on behalf of the holy mountain of my God, “ Daniel 9:20 CPDV
Discipline
Watching and intercession require spiritual stamina, endurance, self-control and wisdom. Our Father will always make these available when we ask him.
Wisdom is necessary to redeem time, manage resources and overcome the hidden snares and traps of the enemy.
Self-control takes inner strength and wisdom. Sleep, distractions, physical and spiritual weaknesses are key forces we will confront but wisdom is always available to see us through. The greatest danger to a territory is when the watchmen are not in shape as highlighted below.
His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand they all look to their own way, everyone for his gain, from his quarter.” Isaiah 56:10-11 KJV
Authority of Watchmen
Watchmen are called and authorize by God to watch, observe, decree, blow trumpet for others to hear, shift things into place and birth the purposes of God. They can release warnings and groanings of the spirit to bring restoration.
“And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone. And the watchman cried and told the king. And the king said, “if he is alone, there are good tidings in his mouth. And he came apace and drew near.”
“So, thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore, thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.” Ezekiel 33:7 KJV
The Night
The scriptures elaborate profusely on the night as a season when the enemy operates primarily because it is a time of relaxation and sleep for me.
” For they that sleep, sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. “1Thessalonians 5:7 KJV
” But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. “Matthew
Besides, the heavenly messages are easily received by men because of the little distraction level. The night is therefore a common time for visions, encounters, visitations and dreams.
It will be right to say that nights are important watch time for watchmen as corroborated by Prophet Isaiah and the disciples of Jesus who keep watching hours.
“So, thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore, thou shalt hear the word at my mouth and warn them for me.” Ezekiel 33:7 kjv
“And he cried, A lion: My Lord, I stand continually upon the watchtower in the daytime, and I am set in my ward whole nights:” Isaiah 21:8 KJV
“The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? The watchman said, ‘the morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will enquire, enquire ye: return, come.” Isaiah 21:11-12 KJV
Training and Equipment </b>
Teaching is the release of essential information in the classroom, pulpit or informal places. Training in the other hand involves demonstration by the trainer and real practice by the trainee or disciple with the opportunity to make mistakes and be corrected, thereby developing expertise. It is important to note that God weaves a message into our life through.
God takes us through experiences that serves as training programs to build strength, endurance, flexibility, discipline and skills in the use of different weapons as soldiers of Christ to enables us fight and win.
In physical and spiritual warfare, training and equipping are crucial in warfare and they can directly impact the effectiveness of soldiers. A well-trained soldiers possess the skills and discipline needed for strategic execution and use of proper equipment which enhances their capabilities and survivability on the battlefield. Both elements contribute to a force's overall readiness and success in combat. Let us look at few inspirational quotes of notable Bible Christian Solders to open our understanding.
” Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: “Psalm 144:1 KJV
” He teaches my hands to wear, so that a bow of steel is broken by my arms. “ Psalm 18:34 KJV
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole amour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole Armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. Ephesians 6:10-18 KJV
In our journey as believers, we are marching towards Zion, the city of the living God and we must overcome the dark forces regularly assigned by our adversaries to confront us and hinder us through delay, distractions, afflictions, obstruction and corruption. To do this, we must be equipped.
” Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. “ 2 Timothy 2:3 KJV
” This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightiest war a good warfare; “1 Timothy 1:18 KJV
” For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: “ 2 Corinthians 10:3 KJV
” No man that warmth entangled himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. “2 Timothy 2:4 KJV
David
David is an icon in spiritual warfare and leadership. He was first taught to walk and be shepherd by the Lord. He learnt how to be guided by the rod of God and comforted by his staff. This qualifies him for the first level anointing that taught his fingers to fight and war by which he defeated the Bear, Lion Goliath.
The training continued in the Palace of Saul and when he was pursued by Saul by Saul. David spoke of a few of his learning points in the Scriptures.
” Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: “ Psalm 144:1 KJV
” I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go I will guide thee with my eye. “Psalm 32:8 KJV
The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel Spake to me, He that rule.
over men must be just, Ruling in the fear of God. “
PAUL
Apostle Paul was a soldier of the Lord and the scripture recorded Archippus as a fellow soldier.
Philemon 1:2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in thy house:
Paul as a soldier of Christ was equipped with the breastplate of faith and love with sword of the spirit and arrow s of truth. He at the end of his ministry on earth affirmed that he has fought a good fight and that the Lord will reward him adequately with a crown. Paul fought and overcame discouragement, affliction, persecutions, flesh, devils and the systems of this world, He prayed in the spirit more than those around and endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ, rejoicing in hope.
” But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. “ 1 Thessalonians 5:8 KJV
Paul exhorts us to ‘’Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. “ 1 Timothy 6:12 KJV
Rick Joyner wrote in his book titled “The call’ on the characteristics of the victorious army. ‘In this third army, I was surprised that there were only two ranks—generals and privates. Only a few had a piece of armor on, and I did not see any weapons except dummy weapons which were carried by the generals. The generals flaunted these dummy weapons as if having them made the officers special, but even those in the ranks could tell that the weapons were not real. This was sad because it was obvious that those in the ranks desperately wanted to find someone who was real whom they could follow.
There did not seem to be any ambition except among the generals. This was not because of selflessness as in the first army, but because there was so little caring. I thought that at least the ambition present in the second group. could be much better than the confusion that prevailed in this group. The generals here seemed to be more intent on walking about themselves and fighting with one another, which the little groups around the banners were constantly doing. I could then see that the battles within the ranks were the cause of the great sweeping, erratic changes of directions that this group would make from time to time.
As I looked at the millions in the last group, I felt that even with their great numbers, they did not actually add strength to the army, but rather weakened it. In a real battle, they would be much more of a liability than an asset.
Just sustaining them with food and protection would cost more in resources than any value they could add to the army’s ability to fight. I thought that a private in the first or second group would be worth more than many generals.
From the third. I could not understand why the first groups even allowed this group to tag along behind them. They obviously were not true soldiers”.
” Thus, saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teaches thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go. “Isaiah 48:17 KJV
To be continued
