“I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.” (Ezekiel 33:7)
A watchman is one who stands guard and keeps watch. However the mandate over Ezekiel’s life was more than just watching for the enemy and warning Israel. The anointing of the watchman releases a prophetic gift. Ezekiel was called by God to listen, to speak, to warn and to accept accountability. We are watchmen over our own lives. We are responsible to guard ourselves that we may stay true to righteousness. The path of righteousness is the way of holiness. Holiness instructs us in accordance to God’s word and reveals the correct path to journey on. It protects us from sin and it forms a hedge around us that prevents the enemy from devouring us. To deter from this highway will lead to destruction of one’s destiny in Christ.
We are watchmen over our families. It is vital for us to guard our homes and families before we establish ourselves as watchman over God’s people. In our home we do not only watch for the enemy, we protect, we instruct, we care and we do not let evil penetrate within the borders. We have a prophetic utterance that looses the winds that brings heaven’s change. Establish a post with total surrender and this stand will catapult your family into a fulfilled life in Christ.
As watchman in our homes we are encouraged:
1. To hear from God
Fine tuning ones’ spiritual insight is birth through a disciplined, daily communion with our Father in heaven motivated by genuine love for him. If you truly love the Lord, your ears will be set against his heart and his heartbeat will leave impressions in your spirit. He, who has ears, let him hear what the spirit of the Lord has to say. You will only know the voice of the shepherd if you spend time in the presence of the shepherd. You cannot instruct if you have no instruction. Every family member holds the keys to kingdom living by being hearers and doers of God’s word. The throne room of God is accessible that we may enter boldly and confidently. Entering into the secret place of the most high is not only for us but also for those innocent lives we are entrusted with. Once we hear the voice of God, we are certain of his promises and confident of his decree.
2. To warn our families
Nobody wants to warn another. It’s always easier to be bearers of good news rather than correction. Yet the latter leads many to the narrow path of salvation and eternal life. The itchy ear syndrome wants soothing words and pats on the back. The truth brings freedom and liberty. A warning is a lifeline for those who need it. Be steadfast and immovable because a word seasoned with the Holy Spirit brings forth a fountain of new life in Christ. Do not allow the weapon of fear to hold your words captive. After you have heard of the Lord, release the warning that will alter lives and bring it into alignment with God’s plan and purposes.
Whenever the trumpet of warning is sounded, repentance follows and restoration begins. Damaged walls are rebuilt and the latter glory will be greater than the former. When the prophets and watchmen of the kingdom remain in silence, darkness prevails. Release the word that you have and the Shekinah glory of God will manifest and hover over lives. God’s word will never return void. It accomplishes that which it is sent out to do.
“But I will hold the watchman accountable for his blood.” (Ezekiel 33 vs 6)
Before God set Ezekiel as a watchman, he gave him accountability of the peoples’ blood. You are your family’s keeper. As a watchman, you will be held accountable for not correcting and altering the lives of your family that are perishing in these perilous times. Silence is not an option for you. Staying quiet will be detrimental to yourself and those reaching a Christ-less eternity. By your words you will be judged and by your words you will be acquitted. If you warn them and they do not listen, their blood is not on your hands. If you know the truth and leave them to die in their sin, you will give an account of their demise in sin.
Son of man – prophesy that the way of the Lord is now.
Hazel Moodley