THE WARNING CRY

By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

© God’s Breath Publications

 

The night was especially dark and mysterious and mischief was about. The young boys knew they were not supposed to be in the neighbor’s yard. They knew it was an invasion of privacy, but they wanted to have some fun. They began climbing on a wooden bridge that was in the front yard. They wanted to see who could run across it the fastest and jump off of it the farthest. One of them tripped while running across and fell. Quick reflexes saved the youth from falling on his face, but the extra force with which he landed on one foot caused a portion of the bridge to break. The loud crack could be heard into the dark night.

 

Little did they know that something had been watching. A creature concerned about the invasion of private property. A creature, both scared to intervene, but a creature that knew that what they were doing was wrong. The crack of breaking wood split the night air and the creature could stand it no longer. From the vocal chords of this sentry came a loud, horrible sounding bellowing bark. The young trespassers froze. Then it came again, a second bark, then a third long, ear piercing, thundering bark. On the fourth frightful bark, the boys ran for their lives. They did not see, nor know where this creature was, but they knew they didn’t want to hang around to find out. They ran as fast as they could into the thick blackness of the night. The creature, the protective sentry, the trumpet blower, my daughter, had accomplished her task. Yes, my daughter Annie was known for her imitations both audibly and physically of various animals. When she was a young child, we often had to tell her to get up off her hands and feet and stop barking like a dog when we were shopping in a store. While embarrassing sometimes, possibly there was some benefit to her practicing such a craft.

 

Believe it or not, we are all called to be sentries as Christians in at least two areas. We are all called to shout warning cries when we see evil in the world. We should not stand idly by when we see wrong and injustice in the world. Just as my daughter saw evil taking place in her front yard, we too, see the signs of evil taking place all around us. Not only are these possibly signs of the end times, they are for sure, signs of people ignoring God and seeking their own way. Just like my daughter, we need to take action. We need to pray for God to intervene, we need to minister to those in need; we need to let God direct us in ways we can build His kingdom.

 

We are also called to be the watchmen of the coming of our Savior. We, as Christians, have received a marvelous, precious gift, the gift of salvation. We know that we have a Savior who will return one day to reclaim His children. We must have the courage and concern to share the gospel with others. A good sentry and watchman will seek to warn others of impending danger. The danger that lurks on the horizon for the unsaved is eternal separation from God. It is our responsibility as God’s watchmen to warn of the impending judgment to come for those who do not know Him.

 

Are you a watchman? Do you have the courage my 12-year-old daughter had with four teenage boys? Being a watchman doesn’t mean we always confront evil directly, but it does require that we let others know the danger we see. There is danger for those who fail to listen to the promptings of our God. We must pray that we will always be the alert watchmen God wants us to be. We must seek to be ready at all times to give a testimony of our Lord and the salvation He offers. There is also a judgment that may befall us as watchmen, if we fail to alert those who are perishing. May God convict us daily of our calling, our duty, that our passion should be the sharing of the gospel.

 

“But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes the life of one of them, that man will be taken away because of his sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for his blood.”

Ezekiel 33:6