“Go set a watchman; let him announce what he sees.” Isaiah 21:6

Some intercessors have the call to be a “watchman.” What does it mean to be a watchman? Some people think we stand on alert for any spiritual evil that is coming our way and we sound the clarion call of alarm.

Some people think being a watchman means being on the lookout for demons behind every tree and under every rock. Whatever it means to you along these lines is probably not a biblical notion.

How about announcing something positive? The watchmen of Jerusalem sing for joy at the return of the Lord to Zion. The Bible says, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes salvation . . .” (Isaiah 52)

Maybe being a watchman means looking for what God is doing and partnering with that. Instead of reporting news that “sells,” watchmen can announce good news that lifts people up.

In the parable of the ten virgins the cry goes out at midnight, “Here’s the bridegroom!” (Matthew 25). That’s a positive announcement. The invitation is to come out and meet him.

How can we be positive “watchpeople,” for lack of a better word? Can we announce what God is doing so that people can ride the wake of what we are discerning? How about letting people know that a wave of God’s goodness is coming?

I am not talking about announcing anything that we feel like, although God did make sure that none of Samuel’s words fell to the ground. I am talking about announcing that which God is doing so that people can get the benefit of that.

What might this look like? Perhaps you sense that God is healing particular conditions in a given group that is meeting. You can announce that God is doing such and such and have people report back to see if that is happening with them.

It might mean that you sense God’s Spirit moving in a certain direction to release people from certain situations that they are experiencing. You can report the good news that God is shifting things in their favor as it relates to this situation.

We have so many opportunities to announce good news so that people can experience the goodness of the Lord right now right where they are. Won’t you join me in that?

By Ralph Veenstra