Leaders are like watchmen
Watchmen…are as the name implies, persons that keep watch. They are assigned to a certain post to keep watch over whatever they are assigned to protect, or at least be an early warning. There are night watchmen, but even in the day. They are guards or sentinels. In a broader sense, policemen and other law enforcement personnel are watchmen. Even our military is assigned to watch over our nation and its interests, here and abroad.
I imagine it can be a lonely job, but critical. When I leave our offices at the end of the day, there is a security guard. I often find myself feeling sad for her. They must stay awake and be alert, while typically making their rounds at certain intervals. Some can even be placed in harm’s way depending on the nature of their assignment. Whatever, they are useful in many ways.
Watchmen can be limited in their ability to be at all places at one time. Many use mounted cameras with a TV or computer screen for a more complete, simultaneous view. Alarms are placed in certain critical areas for alerting the watchmen of intruders or strange movements. Whatever, it is virtually impossible to watch everything at once.
As I was reflecting on the coronavirus pandemic, it occurred to me that our President, Vice-President and their medical Task Force are in a way, watchmen. They are assigned right now to watch over the nation’s well-being. The COVID-19 ‘intruders’ are showing up all over our country. It has been designated as a war against an unseen enemy. As smart as all these ‘watchmen’ are, the fact is that if they do not have Godly wisdom, and use it, the enemy will be victorious.
The Lord is the ultimate watchman
So, how can we ever be certain of the outcome? Scripture tells us this. “Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain” (Psa. 127.1b NKJV). Which begs the question, what/who are we trusting through this pandemic? As much as I and my family are dependent on these ‘earthly watchmen’, they are limited in their ability to ‘guard’ our cities without the One who sees all, is everywhere and is all-powerful. Especially in this war against an unseen enemy, we need to lean in and pray God’s protection, and even blessing.
This Psalm is a powerful reminder of the One in whom we should put our trust.” Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. They have bowed down and fallen, but we have risen and stand upright. Save, Lord! May the King answer us when we call” (Psa. 20. 6-9 NKJV).
Pray for those in authority
As the body of Christ, we are commanded to pray for those in authority, and so we shall. Putting our sole trust in the redeeming, saving hand of the One who is “THE WATCHMAN”.
For he is Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent. What more could you want in a watchman?
