INL January 31, 2003  

SOUNDING OUT:
Watch and Be Ready

  As laborers together with God, we expect Him to direct our steps as He promised He would. We do our best to keep His Word and live the way He would want. When we need further information on specific points to bring His Word and will to pass He will give it to us. It is important to stay in fellowship with the heavenly Father and enjoy the pleasure of His company. We never know when He might want to tell us something, so we always remain diligent to watch and be ready.

  Revelation may come at the most likely and unlikely times and places. Of course “likely and unlikely” are relevant terms. What’s likely to me may be unlikely to you, and what’s unlikely to me may be likely to you. I guess if I’ve received revelation in one situation before, when that situation comes up again, I may be more likely to expect it than some one who hasn’t. The point is—we want to stay ready because we never know when it may come.

  There are plenty of examples in the Word of what I would call likely times and places:

  • When writing God’s Word, [Luke was directed by God]—Luke 1:1-4.
  • While serving in the temple, [Zacharius received revelation about John]—Luke 1:5-21.
  • While waiting for the outpouring of the spirit on Pentecost, [the twelve received the cue to speak]—Acts 2:1-3.
  • At the transfiguration, [Peter, James, and John were instructed by God]—Matthew 17:1-9.
  • On a mission for God, [Paul received additional information]—Acts 18:18-21.
  • When ministering healing, [God told Jesus what to say and do]—John 9:6,7.

  There are plenty of examples in the Word of what I would call unlikely times and places:

  • While going abroad, [Samuel anointed Saul to be king]—I Samuel 9:26,27.
  • While keeping sheep, [Moses hears from God via a burning bush]—Exodus 3:1,2.
  • While dying on the cross, [Jesus still heard from God]—Luke 23:39-43.
  • While walking on the water, [Jesus received further direction]—Matthew 14:22-33; Mark 6:45-51.

  As we carry out our responsibilities, both personally and ministerially, we want God’s assistance. We expect that He will work with us both to will and to do of His good pleasure. We desire to walk by the spirit, and we expect that God will work in us. Therefore, we stay alert, watchful, and diligent.

  Watching as many aspects:

  1. To look or observe attentively or carefully; be closely observant: as in watching for trail markers. As you learn how God works with you there may be specific things that occur over and over that you recognize as God working in you.
  2. To look and wait expectantly or in anticipation: as in watch for an opportunity. Galatians 6:10 doesn’t say, “If we have opportunity.” It says, “As we have opportunity.” There will be opportunities, and we should eagerly anticipate them.
  3. To act as a spectator; look on: as in we watched the game on the big screen. Even when you are not directly involved, your observation of others walking by the spirit can bless and inspire you big time.
  4. To stay alert and awake at night while serving as a guard, sentinel, or watcher. This would fit with the Old Testament concept of the watchman.

    5. Ezekiel 33:1-7:
    Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
    Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman:
    If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people;
    Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.
    He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul.
    But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.
    So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.

Paul extended this concept into the New Testament when he said:

Acts 20:25-28:
And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. [Then he tells them why.]
For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

  We stay vigilant. As parents and fellowship coordinators we may spend more hours then we would like in vigilant prayer. However, the time is well spent and effectual.
Just as watching has different aspects, so does being ready:

  1. Prepared or available for service, action, or progress: David’s men said unto him, “Thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.” (2 Samuel 15:15).
  2. Mentally disposed; willing: The Bereans “received the Word with all readiness of mind” (Acts 17:11). Nehemiah said, “Thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness…” (Nehemiah 9:17).
  3. Likely or about to do something: “Be ready always to give an answer to every one that asketh…” The centurion’s servant was sick, and ready to die. (Luke 7:2).
  4. Prompt in apprehending or reacting: a ready intelligence; a ready response. Ezra was a ready scribe (Ezra 7:6). The Psalmist said, “My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.”
  Because we do not have foreknowledge, we want to watch and be ready. God does want to guide and direct us. He does so with His Word, and with revelation when we need more specific information. What would you do if you knew God would speak to you? If you are born again of His spirit you can be sure He will. Therefore…

Watch and Be Ready!