I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? Psalm 121:1
What am I watching these days? All of us may be glued to the latest election or coronavirus news. Part of being watchful is redeeming the time and being alert – anticipating what will happen next. It has been a year like no other and most of us are keenly awake to the current issues of the day. These issues are keeping me up at night and fueling my prayers. I can either worry or take great comfort in that God, my heavenly father is always watching over me. He is watching over my country and the world. He never slumbers or sleeps. (Psalm 121:3) The lord is my keeper, he watches over all my comings and goings. (Psalm 121:8) He is the good Shepherd.
I can learn how to keep watch from the shepherds. It was a night like any other and yet it was a night like no other. There were shepherds keeping watch over their flock by night. (How much sleep did these shepherds really get?) First there was the angel that appeared, then the glory of the Lord and then a voice telling them to not fear. Then there were instructions as to where they should go to find the Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Then there were signs to look for – a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes. And if that was not enough there were more angels called the heavenly host who illuminated the night with these praises, ‘Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among those with whom he is well pleased.’ (Luke 2:14).
One thing I have learned from these shepherds is that watching and waiting must go hand in hand. If the shepherds only kept watch and did not wait for all the instructions, they would have missed the final and ultimate crescendo. What if they had run in fear from the angel? They would have missed the whole purpose as to why they were keeping watch! To keep watch is to redeem the current time and look ahead to what is to come. It is like celebrating Christmas and keeping Advent. Rejoicing in the present of Jesus and anticipating His return.
Keeping watch is both physical and spiritual. I want to keep watch over my heart and home this season. Being grateful and thankful for how God is keeping watch over me. Seeing the work of His hand all around me. I don’t need to fear or run from it. I want to open the eyes of my heart to Him. It has been a year like no other and there is no other who can help me get through it than my heavenly Father. He is the good Shepherd and His sheep know His voice. (John 10:14-15)
Be Watchful
Awake. Anticipate. Wait. Hope.
What keeps you up at night? What or who are you watching to come to your rescue?