04/04/2020
Standing guard over our faith is not an occasional duty, and requires constant attention day and night. It also means that we spend long monotonous hours walking the way, and watching for something out of the ordinary to occur; something good to celebrate, or bad to defend against. If we neglect our watch, we may well find ourselves lost, and many other souls along with us. This is why the military penalty for sleeping on guard duty during wartime is death, or some severe court marshal punishment. As Christians we are under the constant threat of attack. We are forever at war against sin... be diligent!
“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.”
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 ESV
When I was a cadet at the Virginia Military Institute I had to stand guard in barracks every so many months when it was my turn in the company rotation. Sometimes it was a daylight watch, but at others it was a night watch. I would be assigned a post, and would march back and forth with my rifle shouldered, stopping at each end, bringing my weapon to port arms, turning with the click of my heels, and then bringing my weapon back to right shoulder arms and marching again... unafraid, and ready to sound the alarm.
“You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.' Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you."”
2 Chronicles 20:17 ESV
Nights were the worst because barracks were completely quiet and still. The only sound was that of my shoes against the concrete, and an occasional cadet as they made their way down the stoop to the restroom. Nights were muggy and hot in the summer, and could be bitterly cold in the winter, but regardless of the season, nights were monotonous, and your mind could wander away from your duty.
“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
Matthew 25:13 ESV
As men and women of Faith we must remain attentive to our watch as well. We need to be strong, alert, and ready for any occasion. Love is our motivation for watching over those around us. Would this be the day that the trumpet would sound and Jesus descend? Or perhaps the night that Satan would attempt to steal into camp and take a soul from our midst? We are the trusted guard, and our duty is to be ready for any occasion.
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
James 4:7 ESV
In the war for our souls, and the souls of every Christian, we need to be alert, and wear the armor of God against all enemies. Armed with the sword Of God, and His Holy Word, we march through life; carefully watching lest the dark one steal into our encampment. Guards seldom fight the battle, but they must sound the alarm, and awaken the unaware, and often sleeping, soldiers.
Today the alarm is sounding, but will we find that the forces of the dark one are already within the camp? Will we realize that one of the guards has fallen asleep, and the enemy has entered, where they are causing much chaos, and confusion? In the midst of all this turmoil, will we be able to tell who the enemy is, and who our friends are? Will our guard have failed us, and God’s Word be twisted, and in peril... dangerously close to total capture, and desecration? If this happens... where will we turn for our salvation?
“Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard,”
Hebrews 2:1-3 ESV
From all of this, God can rescue us, and save us, but we need to don the protection of His Holy Word as our armor, and to know His commandments as we enter into the battle. Where are we left if we become separated from our great God, and lose sight of Jesus Christ? How will we claim victory when in our laxity we have fallen asleep while on guard, and strayed from the voice of Jesus, allowing the Word to fall under attack, and the battle to rage inside our camp? How will we hear these words of reassurance?
“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?”
2 Corinthians 2:14-16 ESVM
So today we are walking guard, and being alert to all that is around us. Each of us standIng guard In his turn, and assuming responsibility for the safety of the camp. When it is our watch, and we march to and fro, even in the dark of night, are we strengthened by God’s Word? Are we watching over those we love by protecting the very Word of God from attack? Are we gaining our strength from the thing we protect? This is our duty, and today is our watch... how alert are we, and when our shift is complete what will we hear Jesus, and the Father say regarding our tour? Will we hear “I know you not” or will be lifted up and hear “this is my son in whom I am well pleased!”
Prayer:
Father, thank you for trusting us to guard your Word against Satan, and all evil. Thank you for strengthening us, clothing us in the armor of your Word, and for providing us with a sword to use against those who creep in the night, and attempt to steal into our camp. Help us to be diligent and watchful at all times, and not to grow tired or weary as the hours pass by. Sustain us in the wilderness, and give us drink in the desert places, bolster our spirits, and provide us with the keen eyes of eagles. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who tells us to lean on your understanding in all things. Great are you in battle against evil, and wise are your commands as we go forth with you each day. Praised be your name for sending our Great Redeemer, Jesus Christ, who you have placed before us. He is our Chief Priest, our Valiant General, and the Commander of every Watch. Yours is the victory Father, and all glory belongs to you now, and forevermore! In your armor we are secure, and by your Word we are strengthen, even as we stand guard over our encampment alone...
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,”
Ephesians 6:10-18 ESV
Rich Forbes