You Are the Watchman

33 1-5 God’s Message came to me: “Son of man, speak to your people. Tell them, ‘If I bring war on this land and the people take one of their citizens and make him their watchman, and if the watchman sees war coming and blows the trumpet, warning the people, then if anyone hears the sound of the trumpet and ignores it and war comes and takes him off, it’s his own fault. He heard the alarm, he ignored it—it’s his own fault. If he had listened, he would have saved his life.

6 “‘But if the watchman sees war coming and doesn’t blow the trumpet, warning the people, and war comes and takes anyone off, I’ll hold the watchman responsible for the bloodshed of any unwarned sinner.’

Are you a watchperson, or should you be listening to someone who is? Trouble is, lots of people are saying lots of things. There’s so much noise, it’s difficult to know who to listen to. 

The message from God to the people is, choose a watchperson, someone who can see what’s going on in the World, and listen to them when they sound the alarm or “blow the trumpet”. If you listen, you will be saved. If you don’t, and suffer as a result, it’s your own fault!

We can’t ignore all the things that are going on in the World, with the Russia / Ukraine war, fears of gas shortage and power cuts, interest rates, inflation, political confusion, it’s all a bit of a mess. What if I said, cut back a little if you can, now. Check your torches, that the batteries are okay. Keep your phone changed. These things might seem a bit trivial but if you know something is coming, being prepared helps. The same applies to our faith life. Things will come that test us, so putting in a bit of preparation now, i.e., reading the bible, praying and spending time with faithful friends, helps when the trials in life come. 

Jesus tells his disciples that a time is coming when He will be taken away from them. It’s a warning, so that they can be prepared. But as well as a warning there is a message of comfort, that in the long run, everythings going to be okay. In John 16:33 Jesus says “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

In other words, yes there’s trouble coming, but be at peace, because you are prepared, ready to face whatever’s coming, trust God and take heart. It’s going to be okay.

Ezekiel 28:11-19 A Lament To A Bad King

The word of the Lord came to me: 12 “Son of man, take up a lament concerning the king of Tyre and say to him: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says:

“‘You were the seal of perfection,

    full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.

13 You were in Eden,

    the garden of God;

every precious stone adorned you:

    carnelian, chrysolite and emerald,

    topaz, onyx and jasper,

    lapis lazuli, turquoise and beryl.[b]

Your settings and mountings[c] were made of gold;

    on the day you were created they were prepared.

14 You were anointed as a guardian cherub,

    for so I ordained you.

You were on the holy mount of God;

    you walked among the fiery stones.

15 You were blameless in your ways

    from the day you were created

    till wickedness was found in you.

16 Through your widespread trade

    you were filled with violence,

    and you sinned.

So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God,

    and I expelled you, guardian cherub,

    from among the fiery stones.

17 Your heart became proud

    on account of your beauty,

and you corrupted your wisdom

    because of your splendor.

So I threw you to the earth;

    I made a spectacle of you before kings.

18 By your many sins and dishonest trade

    you have desecrated your sanctuaries.

So I made a fire come out from you,

    and it consumed you,

and I reduced you to ashes on the ground

    in the sight of all who were watching.

19 All the nations who knew you

    are appalled at you;

you have come to a horrible end

    and will be no more.’”

I had a flat tyre this week and this lament from the Old Testament is to the King of Tyre. What is a lament and who is the King of Tyre? Well, it’s an expression of deep regret and disappointment towards one of those regional kings who reigned around 900 to 1000 years before Christ. But the sentiment could apply to anybody. It’s about how people, or you and I, can change for the worst when God blesses us most. Or, when things are going really well.

The King, Hiram the 1st, was placed in God’s Garden in Eden. He was “sealed with perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty”. Adorned or dressed with every precious stone, set in gold. He was anointed as a guardian cherub and ordained by God. He was blameless in all his ways until wickedness found him.

• And then God said, you sinned.

In other words, it was all going well, then the king started taking God for granted and did things his own way instead of the right way. Being corrupt and dishonest rather than trusting God. You see it in modern life when rulers, leaders and politicians start to believe they are beyond reproach. Something we call this hubris. Power gone to their heads, almost like a god-syndrome.

Where does it lead? Usually somebody gets hurt. Corruption, dishonesty or sin always leads to that. The global stage is full of people like the King of Tyre, who force their will on others, causing pain and destruction. Perhaps God’s final words to the King would be appt for certain rulers today - verse 19 says - All the nations who knew you, are appalled at you; you have come to a horrible end and will be no more.’”

Quotes by the Queen about her Christian faith, and tributes from local church leaders in Stafford, broadcast on Stafford FM during the period of mourning for Queen Elizabeth II. 

Thanks to: -

John Marshall - Love Stafford

Rev. Philip Sowerbutts - Castle Church

Rev. David Lawrence - Harvest Community Church

Rev. Danielle Liegh - Stafford Baptist Church

Paul Stubbs - Stafford FM Sunday Sunrise Team

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 

23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

Isaiah 48:17  

This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.

In other words, if you choose to follow a faith, it’s God who keeps you on the right track, for life. You might step off the path from time to time, but there’ll always be a way back. 

It takes a decision on our part, an act of will, to follow.

John 14:6

Jesus said - “I am the way and the truth and the life.”

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. 

Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

This seems a fitting scripture for a week when Ukraine celebrates their own Independence Day. 31 years of freedom.

Galatians 5:13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 

Galatians 5:14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbour, as yourself.”[b] 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

John 8:32, ESV - And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

I will bless the Lord who advises me; even at night I am instructed in the depths of my mind. I always put the Lord in front of me; I will not stumble because he is on my right side.That’s why my heart celebrates and my mood is joyous; yes, my whole body will rest in safety because you won’t abandon my life to the grave; you won’t let your faithful follower see the pit. You teach me the way of life. In your presence is total celebration. Beautiful things are always in your right hand. - Psalm 16:7-11 CEB

"Despite the benefits of sleep, One out of every three people reports struggling with insomnia. Some can't fall asleep, while others can’t maintain a state of sleep. I wonder why that is? Could it be stress, anxiety, pressure of modern life, or maybe just too much caffeine.."

BeReal App. It's actually quite fun! I'm on it as paulinnefyn (but that could change!)

Pete Fryatt brings a thought on Colossians 2 verses 6 to 9.

38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus[a] entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary.[b] Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”