056. Duty Of Watchmen In Respect To Prayer.
Duty Of Watchmen In Respect To Prayer.
Isaiah 62:6-7. The speaker here is Jehovah; and by watchmen are meant those whom he has appointed to be instructors of his people—prophets—ministers of religion. These should be ever vigilant in the high and holy duties of their calling; instructing and warning the people; directing them to the appointed ark of safety, and pressing them to enter while entrance is possible. The watches in the East are, to this day, performed by a loud cry, as the watchmen go their rounds. So ministers should lift up their voices, crying day and night: “Now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation.” “The day is far spent; the night is at hand.” “Escape for thy life.”
“And give him no rest.” The idea is, keep not silence yourselves; nor let him rest in silence. Pray without ceasing; do not intermit your efforts while a soul under your charge lingers in the tents of wickedness; while there is a spot or wrinkle in the garments of any child of God. The truth taught here is, that it is the duty and privilege of ministers to pray unceasingly for the welfare of Zion. The trials of ministers, in one respect, are, however, but little known. Like other Christians, they are tempted to relax their efforts. A chilling influence comes up from the world, and they are in danger of feeling it; but in greater danger are they, when the church itself has become cold and insensible. A minister pray then? How difficult! and yet how mightily has the importance of prayer—ardent, humble, holy prayer—increased! Look, at. such times, into the minister’s closet—you will find him there, if he be one of God’s faithful watchmen—and he will pray. O how would it relieve his heart could he weep! He does say: “Oh that my heart were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears!” But, often, while he longs for such melting tendencies—a breaking up, perhaps, of a long and dreary winter—a warm and generous gush of feeling, as he has sometimes seen a fountain pour forth its liberated waters—he finds all chill and cold, as if his heart had never known any thing of the warm and impulsive love of Jesus.
And, perhaps, at this very time, he is called to follow to the grave some one of his flock, who has departed for another world without hope. Perhaps, his appointed prayer-meeting has arrived; or, the Sabbath has come, and his people are already within the sanctuary, waiting his arrival; and, though dull and formal, they are expecting him, by his fervid eloquence and ardent supplications, to rouse them to appropriate life and animation.
What minister cannot relate experience like this? And, often, while, as to other trials and troubles, he can claim the sympathy and support of his friends, here he seems alone. He feels alone. It is difficult for him to disclose himself to his people, as they can one to another.
Well, so it has been. But, need it be so? Would not ministers have less occasion to mourn over a cold and formal state, if they prayed more? This is the grand, spiritual panacea; the sovereign antidote against that depression which so disheartens; and which, too often, diminishes the usefulness of the watchmen in Zion. Let the ministers of Jesus then pray more; and, as sure as “praying-breath was never spent in vain,” they will find themselves animated, when all around them are dull and formal; and joyful, when others are sad and dispirited.