*Author Darlene J. Conard* 

My meticulously made bed, adorned with fresh sheets and soft pillows, turned into a chaotic wrestling match over several sleepless nights. I found myself pleading, “Lord, this feels so unfair. You are ever-watchful, never resting, while my tired body longs for sleep, yet You keep me wide awake.” Some of us bear a heavier burden as intercessors. 

**Standing on the Wall: The Sacred Calling of a Watchman** 

The word “watchman” conveys a deep sense of solemn dignity. It brings to mind someone who stays alert while others sleep, who remains vigilant when others rest, and who perceives what may go unnoticed by many. In Scripture, a watchman is more than just a guard; he is a spiritual sentinel—one who listens, discerns, warns, and intercedes. 

Being a watchman is less about having a formal title and more about embracing a certain posture of the heart. 

**The Watchman’s View: Seeing From the Heights** 

In the profound words of Ezekiel, God speaks with unmistakable clarity: 

“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore, hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me.” — Ezekiel 3:17 

A watchman occupies a high vantage point, not from a desire for power, but to see beyond the immediate landscape. This elevated position provides both the privilege of a broader perspective and the weighty responsibility it carries. 

To embody a watchman’s role in today’s world is to develop a deep spiritual insight that goes beyond the ordinary: 

• To recognize subtle threats before they arise 

• To detect underlying shifts in the spiritual atmosphere overlooked by many 

• To distinguish truth from deception amid widespread confusion 

• To tune one’s ears to hear God’s gentle whisper despite the world’s noise 

Achieving this level of spiritual discernment demands intentional stillness, genuine humility, and a heart attuned to the whispers of heaven. It is within this sacred space that one can truly fulfill the role of a watchman. 

**The Watchman’s Burden: Warning in Love** 

A watchman’s calling is not to instill fear or cast judgment; rather, his warnings spring from a deep reservoir of love and concern for others. The prophet Ezekiel emphasizes this responsibility: “When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning… his blood I will require at your hand” (Ezekiel 3:18). This shows that being a watchman is not about condemnation but about compassion and responsibility. A watchman speaks out of genuine care for individuals and the community. To remain silent is to neglect one’s duty. 

In our complex and often tumultuous world, being a watchman can take various forms, including: 

– **Speaking Truth In Edyfication**: A watchman knows how to address challenging topics with kindness, understanding that truth communicated with love adopts understanding. 

– **Interceding for Others**: This involves fervently praying for family, friends, the broader community, and even the nation, advocating before God for those in need. 

– **Standing Firm**: In a society with rapidly changing cultural norms, a watchman remains steadfast in upholding truths and values that reflect their convictions, regardless of external pressures. 

– **Calling People Back to God’s Heart**: A watchman lovingly guides others to reconnect with spiritual truths and the love of God, urging them to return to their roots and deepen their faith. 

This call to be a watchman ultimately requires bravery, infused with tenderness and empathy. 

**The Watchman’s Vigilance: Staying Awake in a Sleeping World** 

Jesus stressed the importance of vigilance in His teachings. He instructed, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation” (Matthew 26:41). He emphasized again: “Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching” (Luke 12:37). 

To be spiritually vigilant is not to live in fear, but to practice committed attentiveness. It means remaining spiritually alert in a world that often promotes distraction and lethargy. 

A watchman actively: 

– **Guards His /Her Own Heart**: Vigilance begins within, ensuring personal spiritual health and integrity by aligning one’s heart with God’s truth. 

– **Protects His/Her Home**: By nurturing a positive environment, a watchman safeguards both the physical and spiritual well-being of his family. 

– **Covers His/Her Community in Prayer**: Engaging in prayer for the community. 

We must remain vigilant, diligently observing and dismantling the enemy’s hold over various territories. We find ourselves in a pivotal moment where everything that can be shaken will indeed be shaken, while only that which is truly steadfast will endure.

Feel free to forward it to anyone you wish.  My mission is to encourage everyone to follow our Lord Jesus Christ with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. ©Darlene J. Conard Vision Ministries 2024.   This may not be republished or used without the author’s written consent. The photograph is AI-generated. Darlene J. Conard is also affiliated with Glory Carrier Ministries. If you have a prayer request, please email it to darlene.conard@hotmail.com, and my intercessors and I will pray.

• BLOG