Blessed is he who watches

The words ‘Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame’ suddenly appear in Revelation Chapter 16 after six of the seven bowls of God’s wrath have been poured out on the earth and the greatest earthquake of all time is about to happen. I don’t know exactly the time this verse refers to or which believers it applies to but, whatever time it is, I know I must be watching for the Lords’ return, covered with the robes that He’s provided for me. Jesus is saying ‘Blessed is he who watches’. I must watch that there’s nothing that I’m going to be ashamed of as I stand before Him, before others, or before the enemy. I pray that I can keep my heart clean.

I’m fascinated by the way Meer Kats keep watch over their clan. They sit with their heads high watching in every direction for the slightest movement of any predator, because their lives depend on it. O that we could keep watch with such vigilance! The enemy of our souls is very subtle and can creep up on us unawares. I caught my two and a half year old granddaughter bowing to the sun and the trees because the children on the TV programme were encouraged to do so by ‘the little flower people’. ‘You do it’, they said, and she did it. I explained to her that we must only bow to God, who made everything.

So as well as watching for the Lords’ return, we should also watch over our family. There are so many children’s games appearing in the shops and on the media that have underlying evil motives. The other day I saw an attractive looking book, a guide for teenagers, which on a closer look contained a spell for everything and was written by a witch. Some things are not even subtle any more.

So let’s keep constantly watching, ‘looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works’ (Titus 2:13-14).

Prayer: Dear Lord, Keep me ever watching and waiting, ready for your coming. Even so come Lord Jesus. Amen.