Watchmen

Isaiah 62:6-7
I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem;
they will never be silent day or night.
You who call on the LORD,
give yourselves no rest,
and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem
and makes her the praise of the earth.

The Walls of Jerusalem at night. The Tower of David overlooking Joppa Gate and the Western wall.
The Western wall.

The Tower of David. This is a modern structure that overlooks Joppa gate.

Jerusalem is the city of God. He has established her walls, raised her towers and fortified her gates (Isa. 54:11-15). He is her foundation and she is His love (Psalm 87:1-3). In His love and provision, the Lord has established watchmen over the city to both proclaim and petition. To the people the watchmen proclaim a warning of eminent danger, attack or weakness in the walls. To the Lord, the watchmen petition for grace, mercy, protection and provision. To rest or refrain from proclamation and petition would be to leave the walls vulnerable and the people in danger.

In the days of Isaiah, the prophets were such watchmen who warned the people of sin and the destruction that follows as well as petitioned the Lord on behalf of the people.

Today the watchmen are the pastors, shepherds, leaders and teachers who have been appointed over God's church. To those who have been given this sacred trust, the Lord says, "You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest,
and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem
and makes her the praise of the earth."
In Psalm 122:6-7 He commands,
"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
May those who love you be secure.
May there be peace within your walls
and security within your citadels."

The command is to proclaim and petition on behalf of the church until the Kingdom of God is established and He sits on His throne in His Holy City which He loves. The command is to guard the walls, to protect the city, to plead with the Lord to preserve His people until His Kingdom come.

How bold am I as a watchman in God's kingdom? How ready am I to identify sin and the danger it poses to the church and God's kingdom? How diligent am I to pray and petition God for His people and those who will be brought into His gates? How relentless and restless am I to watch over the people of God?

Lord make me more diligent to do the work You have set before me. Strengthen me to pray without ceasing and to proclaim boldly. Let me not rest until I find my rest in You. Amen.