The Watchman's Diary

D​avid, after he was almost killed in battle against the Philistines, gave thanks to God for delivering him. David said, “Adonai is my Rock, my fortress and deliverer” (2 Samuel 22:2). David’s men had to protect him because he grew tired during the battle, but he wrote, “With you I can run through a whole troop of men, with my God I can leap a wall” (2 Samuel 22:30). The near death experienced prompted David’s men to whisk him off the battlefield and advised him never to go out to battle again “in order not to quench the lamp of Israel” (2 Samuel 21:17). David was essential to the hope of Israel in his time, and so are you today!

You may say that David was King, so we cannot compare ourselves with him and the important role he played in the life of Israel. Yes, but never forget that we who belong to Yeshua (Jesus) are “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9) and essential personnel in God’s kingdom. You are essential to the ongoing work of the Kingdom, knowing that the workers are already few. There’s a great harvest and it’s nearing nightfall. What then should we do, given the current restrictions because of the Corona Virus?

T​he believers of Yeshua appears to be in a bind. Do we go out to collect the harvest and expose ourselves to the virus, or do we stay sheltered to keep from getting sick? What is more important? Aren’t we already protected—covered in the blood of Jesus? Haven’t we always gone out “as lambs in the midst of wolves?”.

D​avid was essential, both on the battlefield and in the palace but a tired king was dangerous to the troops and his death could cripple the nation. You are essential to the Great Commission. How can you continue working while staying healthy to continue the mission? What tools do we have at our disposal to help us develop creative ways to do kingdom work?

Our normal way of operating is not the only way to get the work done! Times like this spurs us to think outside the box and develop creative techniques. Times like this sometimes force us to leave behind the usual ways of doing something to adapt or develop new ones. Yeshua, came to uphold and fulfill the Torah but his teachings and methods seemed new to the Jewish community of his time. Some people today still accuse Him of departing from Torah—still not willing to change their way of thinking.

You are essential to the mission—to share the Good News about the Kingdom throughout the whole world as a witness to all the nations. We may not be able to go out, but we can still get the message out. We may not be able to baptize, but the Holy Spirit is able to do so and more. We can still do our part to fulfill our role as essential personnel in God’s Kingdom. 

W​hat is your role in the Kingdom? How will you conduct your essential functions today, even if you can’t do so in person? The building project will not stop and the harvest will come in. Will you be part of it?