Watch and Wait

“Blessed is the man

who listens to me,

watching daily at my gates,

waiting at my doorposts."

Proverbs 8:34

The Golden Gate, Jerusalem

At the beginning of each year I ask the Lord for direction on how to pray for the new season. For 2020 the word was "Watch and Wait," though He didn't tell me what to watch and wait for. And then 2020 arrived...unfolded, turned inside out, and exploded! I soon discovered I was a card-carrying member of the "Ten Spies Club," hanging out at my house, watching the news in confusion and anxiety as giants roamed the land. Watching and waiting patiently for the Lord evaporated as I heard bad report after bad report. Then I remembered that God hadn't shown the Israelites the giants to drive them to despair but to Him...to afford them an opportunity to see God do great things beyond their imagination.

So I've been reminding myself to step back, take a breath, and watch and wait to see what the Lord will do. I've been encouraging myself to remember that what we see in the media, what we hear from dueling experts, internet influencers and all the other talking heads is not the whole story. "They" are telling us the giants are too big; that we are too small, too weak, and too afraid. That may be so, but we are also not alone.

God is with us. God is for us. God is moving. The gospel was preached at the very site where George Floyd was killed. People of all colors stood together, worshipping and praying. There were salvations and baptisms. That report did not make the nightly news. Watchmen for the Nations is just one ministry among many using this stay-at-home season to do recurring online gatherings with the body of Christ around the world. Over the past two months, I've celebrated Passover with believers in Israel, earnestly prayed with Christians in Morocco, Egypt and Jordan, worshipped with the Body of Christ in China, Japan, and Korea. Wept as Jewish and Arab believers honored one another and committed themselves to one another. Wept again as I listened to testimonies of racism, but also pledges of reconciliation and hope. Just yesterday I listened to the testimonies of young men who flew to Washington to minister the love of God to the spiritually starving who occupied downtown Seattle. Healings, deliverances and salvations followed. The Spirit is touching hungry hearts, drawing them to desire more of Jesus. Believers are rising...not to shake their fists at the world system, but to serve and bless and worship the Lord. To proclaim His beauty and worthiness. To affirm their membership in a kingdom that cannot be shaken, even as the world quakes and trembles.

This does not mean we refuse to see the darkness. It does not mean we deny the reality of pain and sickness and injustice. Encouraging ourselves in the Lord isn't delusional optimism, putting on a brave face or wearing rose-colored glasses. Rather, focusing on Jesus and what He has said will adjust our perspective, keep our minds steady, focus our internal eyes on the horizon...where He is taking us. We must look reality in the face, then turn in childlike trust to our good God and rest in His character. We must look to Him for our response, not our political party, social justice warriors or even the local church. Reminding ourselves of our true citizenship and where we are headed will encourage us. It will also help us remember that we are part of something much bigger than getting back to normal. Normal is overrated anyway. The Lord of history is moving us toward the conclusion of all things, and He is preparing His Bride. God is revealing His heart for the nations, He is touching the lost, He is awakening His people. The Earth groans and convulses, the nations rage, lawlessness increases, yes that's true; all this He told us to watch for, while looking to Him to keep fear at bay. Trust and wait on the Lord. If we keep our eyes on Jesus, allow Him to comfort, encourage and strengthen us, we will move toward becoming the people God wants us to be. He will return for His Bride, one people united in their passion for Jesus, pouring out their lives in abandoned sacrifice because He is so lovely.

So watch the news, check the internet, listen to the theories, but all with a grain of salt (maybe several grains). Remember that Joshua saw the giants too but came to a different conclusion. His perspective was forged in communion with the Holy One. Look for the good that God is doing in the midst of darkness. Remember what God has done in the past to spark desire for Him to do it again. Revival is coming, expect more than exciting meetings with great music. Spend time with our great King. Soak in His presence. Let His love touch you. Ask for fresh oil. Gain perspective from the One we can trust not to lie or misdirect us. He is in charge of our rights and reputation, not the government. God is taking us somewhere, but to see it we have to focus and listen to Him. Watch and Wait. Listen with a heart prepared to obey.

Maranatha, even so Lord, come!

"You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are

not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not

yet the end. For nation [ethnos, ethnic group] will rise against nation,

and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be

famines and earthquakes. But all these things are merely the

beginning of birth pangs." Matthew 24:6-8