Watch is a Word of Many Meanings

Five-Minute Friday: Watch has many meanings

I used to wear a watch. Now my iPhone is my clock and calendar. When I was in the US Navy, I had responsibilities on board the USS Bagley (DE-1069) to be on watch for intruders. When I was on the signal bridge, I often was watching the horizon for other vessels or aircraft. There have been times when Cindie and I have had to watch our children, and now our grandchildren. In the past we had two cocker spaniels. Both were watch dogs and alerted us when they thought there were intruders. I even have investment watch lists to keep an eye on some stocks and ETFs. But there are other aspects of the word with great and eternal importance for life.

The Lord Sees All

This life is full of unexpected problems, disappointments, dangers, difficulties, and trouble. That is why parents keep watch over their children. God, who is far more loving, wise, powerful, and present is better than the best of all parents. He not only sees and knows everything, he is a shield, defender, and just judge. Solomon knew the wisdom of that worldview and shared his wisdom in the book of Proverbs. Here are some reminders:

 “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.” Proverbs 2:6-8

“The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.” Proverbs 15:3

“The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge, but he overthrows the words of the traitor.” Proverbs 22:12

“If you say, ‘Behold, we did not know this,’ does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work?” Proverbs 24:12

Shepherds Have a Watch

Shepherds, or pastors (elders) have a watch-keeping responsibility. They are to watch their own lives and the truth about life and living. Paul said this to a young pastor: “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” 1 Timothy 4:16

Self-Watch

You don’t get to just casually walk through life. Temptations abound. Most temptations are appealing, otherwise they would not be tempting. This problem originated in the garden of Eden. Therefore, Jesus told us to “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41

“Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord,but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death.” Proverbs 8:33-36

“Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors.” Proverbs 8:34

Milestone

Although I did not write for the last FMF, the word last Friday was Milestone. This post is something of a milestone. Today is the 1,000th blog post since I started writing on March 13, 2017. I think it is appropriate to celebrate that milestone. I completed my first Five-Minute Friday post (TIME) on January 8, 2021. Ninety-eight of my posts have been FMF posts. So with this one, I hit 99 FMF posts. The next one will be number 100, another milestone.

Proverbs 2:11-15

Notice the three elements of watching.

Proverbs 2:1-15 ESV Listening, Trusting, and Accepting Wisdom

How to Identify a Follower of Jesus

They watch what they say. Words matter and so what we say and how we say it matters. God not only sees, he hears. “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!” Psalm 141:3

Five Minute Friday

This post is part of the weekly Five-Minute Friday link-up.

All scripture passages are from the English Standard Version except as otherwise noted.