08/07/2021
God has called us to be Christian intercessors; we are meant to stand day and night on the Holy wall that divides His kingdom from the fallen world, and to call out to Him when evil, or temptation approaches His children within. This is a tireless job in which we are to be ever vigilant, and from which we are not to take our rest or leave our post. As His servants, and soldiers we are called to stand our watch upon the wall, but, when we are called, and once posted, are we faithfully performing our duty?
“On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen; all the day and all the night they shall never be silent. You who put the Lord in remembrance, take no rest, and give him no rest until he establishes Jerusalem and makes it a praise in the earth.”
Isaiah 62:6-7 ESV
When I was a cadet at the Virginia Military Institute I walked many a post as a guard. While the rest of the Corps slept, or was otherwise preoccupied, it was my job to stand, or walk, without fail. Whenever something was amiss, I was to sound the alarm by shouting out “Sergeant of the Guard! Sergeant of the Guard!”, and help would come running!
Day or night it was the same… it was my duty to be ever vigilant, never leaving my post, and to be watching from the proverbial wall without fail. As Christians we have a similar duty. We have been charged with loving one another, and to watch over others, and our faith, every day and night. In this way help is called to the trouble spots in both our earthly, and spiritual lives. Fires are snuffed before they rage, and those who fall ill are tended to swiftly.
“And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?””
Luke 18:7-8 ESV
But what if the Officer of the Guard makes his rounds and finds that the guards are not doing their duty? What if Jesus returns and finds no faith on earth… no one on the wall? Will the enemy have entered the city? This is what occurs when the intercessors of faith are gone, or found asleep. You are probably thinking that this would never happen, but it can… and it has… and not just once!
“Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour?”
Matthew 26:38-40 ESV
It happened again a second time…
“Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.”
Matthew 26:42-43 ESV
And a third time as well…
“So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.”
Matthew 26:44-45 ESV
The apostles fell asleep three times while on guard, and as they awoke the third time a crowd was there, and as Jesus admonished them, He was taken prisoner…
“While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people.”
Matthew 26:47 ESV
This not only happened in the Garden of Gethsemane, but it happens today all around the world. Those who should be interceding, and manning the walls of faith, are found to be asleep, or derelict in their duty. When awakened they find that the enemy has entered the church, taught falsehoods, given false prophesy, lit the church aflame, or done some other manner of spiritual harm to the Saints. Are we feeling drowsy at our post? When Jesus returns will He find us asleep too? When God calls our name will He hear only our silence as we lay sleeping against the wall?
From the time of Jesus until today this has been a problem for the Saints of the Church. This morning I was reading the words that Andrew Murray wrote in the late 1800s, and they struck me as being more than relevant for today’s Christians; he said very bluntly…
“If ever there was a time when God’s elect should cry out to Him day and night, it is now.” - Andrew Murray
So, have the walls of this, our city on the hill, fallen silent? Are we no longer standing guard, calling out in spiritual alarm, lifting our needs up to God for health and healing, or raising our concern for the faith and belief of those around us to Him? Has our intercession lost its power, and become a lost blessing… Have we fallen silent as Jesus prays alone? Perhaps we have, but all is not yet lost… even those who fall asleep and go silent at their post can be awakened, and returned to dutiful life…
“And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.” And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted.”
Acts 20:9-12 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for placing us along the walls of your city, and for telling us to keep watch. Thank you Father for our intercession on behalf of those within the city who are asleep, in need, and those who are lost, but unaware. Give us a heart for the sick, thirsty, starving, and downtrodden, but most of all give us perseverance as we mind the walls and towers of our faith. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who listens for our voices as we keep watch over your children, and sound the alarm for them in times of trouble. Praised be your name for each and every time that Jesus has awakened us from our spiritual slumber, and prayed for us before you in intercession. You are merciful and good Father, and in your arms we find protection from the hungry beast who prowls about outside the city searching to devour souls that are left without a watchman to cry out in warning. You are merciful indeed as we find comfort in you while others are tasked to watch over us. Help us to be diligent in our intercession, even as Jesus is, and hear our prayers from the furthest reaches of the wall where the night is darkest. Help us Lord to stay awake, and give us keen eyes, and perfect understanding as we protect all those who you have placed in our care. Make us like Jesus who intercedes for us always, and wash us in His blood that was shed that we would be made righteous, and to live forevermore with you.
Rich Forbes