Thoughts from Doug

Ummm Security Please:

A few nights ago I woke up in the middle of the night and heard the ever familiar police whistle being blown outside. Here in Loja, and I am sure in other places of Ecuador there are police that ride around on dirt bikes throughout the night blowing their whistle to let the residents know that they are there keeping an eye on the community. How effective this is and what sort of comfort this brings to the community I cannot say, but it did make me think of something else in our lives. We are called to be watchmen for the Lord and we also delight in the knowledge that the Lord is watching over us.

Watchmen are referenced in the old testament and were actually in a position of importance for the entire city. It was their responsibility to watch at night to make sure that when an enemy was coming they could warn the city to prepare so as not to be taken by surprise. There are two types of watchmen, the good ones and the bad ones! Ezekiel 3:17-19 exposes how the Lord views our responsibility:

“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:

“When I say to the wicked, 'you shall surely die,' and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hands.

“Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.

God is telling us that if we don't warn the wicked of the coming death, that is the second death (eternal separation from God), then we are going to be held accountable. But if we are faithful in our position of watchmen and we call out the wickedness that we see, not from a point of piety, as we all are sinners, but that others might see and be saved, we have delivered our souls. The darkness of the night is growing deeper, just as the world continues to sink in darkness through the rejection of Christ, our light. Currently we can see the wisdom of man praised, while the truth of the Lord is rejected.  For confirmation of this just turn on the tv.  Fear of the Lord seems to be more of an intolerant perspective rather than a source of victory. How much more now do we need to hear the word of the Lord and call out to those that are lost, whom cannot see the destruction coming through the darkness of the night. We as believers have been given the Holy Spirit, which is the Spirit of Truth (John 16:13). Christ came to bear witness to the truth: “... For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” (John 18:37) Call out the truth you people of God! Those who are of the truth will hear His voice. I encourage you all to be watchmen of the night, warning of the coming destruction and always looking for the light of the new day, which is Christ returning in His glory. (Isaiah 52:8)

Likewise we know that the Lord is watching us His people and keeping an eye on us always. He does not allow more to come upon us than we can bear. 1 Corinthians 10:13 “... but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” He is there, He is watching us, He will provide a means of escape. Take comfort in hearing the whistle from God even in the middle of the night.

I hope this message finds you all well and that the joy of the Lord is filling your life.

-Douglas