Introductory Thoughts
In Bible times, cities would often build towers to watch the gates to avoid dangers looming from without (Isaiah 21:8). Watchmen would take turns watching the gate. These watchmen were responsible for sounding a trumpet should any danger appear (Ezekiel 33:6). The apostle Paul in his writings applied a spiritual application to this literal act of being a watchman. Just as cities needed men willingly staying awake and alert while others slept or were busy in their daily routines, churches need believers sober and watchful while others might be cumbered about with the cares of this world. Today’s watchmen must use their voices like a trumpet to sound the alarm when danger nears.
Devotional Thoughts
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(For children): You would warn others not paying attention if they were about to fall over an object they did not see. Gods people can spiritually trip and fall by not paying attention to Gods word or by not obeying God. We should be willing to warn them by using Gods word to instruct them.
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(For everyone): God incorporated specific pronouns to convey His truths. For example, ye conveys the plural. When Paul said, Watch ye, to whom was he speaking? Why is it important that we realize Paul was speaking to a group of believers rather than only to an individual?
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Why does your church, family, and community need you to be a watchman? Are there some people in each group who are sleeping during these times of danger? What should you do?
Prayer Thoughts
- Ask the Lord to make you a faithful watchman.
- Ask the Lord to give you a better understanding of watching.
Song
Sound the Battle Cry
