Encouragement for Today - Apr. 9, 2007

 

April 9, 2007

 

Being a Watcher

By Marybeth Whalen 

 

Luke 12:37, “It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night.” (NIV)

         

Devotion:

What does it mean to be a watcher in today’s times? As the culture seems to be spinning out of control with a climate predominate in consumerism and focused on celebrities, how can we as Christ’s bride be prepared to meet Him at the moment of His return? These are questions I have been pondering lately.

 

As I studied what the Bible had to say about being a watcher, I discovered three main qualities that I wanted to share with you.

 

First, a watcher is watchful. Colossians 4:2 says it plainly, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” (NIV) This verse is speaking of an ongoing, constant state of prayer and thanksgiving—ever focusing on the return of our Savior. When He returns, this is the state He wants to find us in. How can we be watchful and thankful, devoted to prayer? What does that look like in real time? God has given us the opportunity to communicate with Him anytime, anywhere through prayer. As we focus on drawing closer to Him in this manner, we find ourselves longing for His return and our real home—Heaven. An attitude of gratitude for His provision combined with a running dialogue of prayer works to keep us focused heavenward. That makes for a watchful state.

 

Second, watchers have watchwords that are constantly on their lips and in their hearts. These watchwords are the hope and encouragement that the Lord has given us through His word. In turn, we must hold fast to these words and meditate on them when we are tempted to take our focus off Christ. I think of Jeremiah 15:16 when the prophet says, “When your words came, I ate them” (NIV). I picture a starving man, so hungry for Truth that he devours it as soon as he finds it. These words, then, become a part of him—something he can rely on and carry around with him. What are your watchwords? Do you have verses you carry in your heart that are literally a part of who you are?

 

Finally, a watcher must watch in hope. Micah 7:7 says, “But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me” (NIV). As Christians, I think it is easy to look around at the culture and feel discouraged. Where are You, God? When will You come and why are You waiting? I watch for You, but I don’t see You! Yet, Romans 15:13 assures us that we serve the God of hope. When hope runs low and discouragement sets in, we must remember that God will supply us the hope we need. And this hope comes with a promise! John 3:2-3 says, “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure” (NIV). As we watch in hope, we are becoming more like Jesus! How exciting!

 

Ultimately as watchers, we can rest in the fact that God—who sees all and knows all—is watching over His watchers. Psalm 145:20 says, “The Lord watches over all who love him, and all the wicked he will destroy” (NIV). I take great comfort in knowing that God loves us enough to watch over us and to come alongside us as we watch for Him.

 

Dear Lord, Help me to be ever mindful of Your imminent return and to live accordingly. I want to be a watcher for You and not have my head turned by what the world is screaming at me. Thank you that I can rest in Your loving care as I watch and wait. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

Related Resources:

The P31 Woman Magazine

 

Do You Know Him?

 

A Busy Woman’s Guide to Prayer by Cheri Fuller

 

Application Steps: 

Write down the three qualities of a watcher. Write down one action step you can take for each quality. Pray that God would keep your mind focused on watching for Him.

 

Reflections: 

What one quality of a watcher do you need to focus on today?

 

Are you a watcher? Do you desire to be?

 

How can you shift your perspective to focus more on Christ’s return and less on the world around you?

 

Power Verses:

Isaiah 52:8, “Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy. When the Lord returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes.” (NIV)

 

Proverbs 8:34-36, “Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For whoever finds me, finds life and receives favor from the Lord. But whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.” (NIV)

 

 

Proverbs 31 Ministries

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