WATCHMAN - Louis Gervais

WATCHMAN

Hello and greetings in the Name of He Who Watches Over the Righteous, Jesus Christ! “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.” –1 Peter 3-12 KJV We know the way that the word ‘watchman’ is used in the Bible such as in Ezekiel 33 and other portions of Scripture. Now, God is not like a watchman in this sense: He doesn’t have to wait and look intently in order to discern who is coming; He knows everything. But He is like a watchman in the sense that He watches out for His children, and gives them warnings (through His Word, Spirit and ministers). Sadly, these warnings (such as God rebuking a church or individual about any particular sin) are not always heeded, and the consequences follow in due time. “Except the LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” –Psalm 127:1 KJV But the Lord is wonderful in His mercy, and when we turn to Him from our sin He is pleased.

And He gives warnings to God-fearing people in order to protect them and in this way many missionaries’ lives have been spared. “The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.” –Psalm 37:32 KJV. However, God often has other plans: “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him.” –2 Chronicles 16:9a KJV A paraphrased message from the persecuted family: “We’d like to express our heartfelt thanks for your prayer support in recent days because we were in real danger and our lives were threatened and it could have ended in tragedy. Thus we thank the Lord for protecting us. There have been several attempts to attack us and these have clearly been well-planned beforehand. The criminals succeeded on entering the garage and on more than one occasion were able to make it to the bedroom window in order to try and force their way in. They retreated when they realized that we were awake, expecting them and armed. Although they mercilessly kill others, they themselves don’t want to get shot. For several nights a few of us who were very lightly armed had to keep a band of experienced and professional criminals away. We believe that the Lord’s protection made the difference and that He answered prayers.” A relevant verse: “My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on Your promises. Hear my voice in accordance with Your love; preserve my life, O LORD, according to Your laws.

Those who devise wicked schemes are near, but they are far from Your law. Yet You are near, O LORD, and all Your commands are true.” –Psalm 119:148-151 They also note: “We are facing a revived legal battle and a renewed application for eviction and we lack the means to fight this legal round. Please pray for assistance and wisdom. We believe the solution is for the whole legal battle to fall away, because it’s coming from the Enemy and this is what we are praying for.” I couldn’t help but think while I was reading in Ezra this week that as the Israelites who returned from captivity were building the temple in accordance with the will of the LORD but their enemies kept throwing wrenches in the works, the persecuted family is also doing their best to walk in His will and accomplish projects which they experienced His leading in but they are constantly hindered by a barrage of frivolous lawsuits and people trying to kill their guard dogs in order to attack them, among other stumbling blocks.

Their health could also benefit from our prayers. My own grandmother, Mr. Van Niekerk and Mr. Kussman have as of yet not listened to the biblical warnings which have come their way. It is by God’s grace that I have been saved. The past few days Daniël, Jan Harm and I made the final preparations for the East Rand Student Outreach, and by Saturday evening all 14 Bible School students and the principal had arrived in Johannesburg. Please pray a lot for us this week as we preach the Gospel at pre-primary schools, primary schools, schools for children with learning disabilities, a children’s camp, high schools, churches, from door to door and on the streets and at retirement homes in Germiston, Boksburg, Brakpan, Springs and Nigel. Lord-willing, we will be busy spreading the Good News every day from the 6th to the 16th of March. At the end of March is the youth camp in the Free State for which I also ask that you join us in praying in advance for. May the deeds of the Almighty Bring Him everlasting glory! –Louis Gervais “But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him.” –Psalm 37:39-40 KJV