Before my husband ever pulls in the driveway our dog in the backyard knows he’s home.  Before I see or hear him, she knows he’s coming.  As his truck rounds the curve in the road out of view, her ears prick up and she runs to the gate.  She recognizes the sound of his truck from all others that travel our street.

 She runs to the fence line where she can get the best view of his truck as it pulls in.  She wags her tail (what little she has) and waits for him to acknowledge her.  All she wants is for him to speak in a sweet voice to her as he goes in the front door. She is a good dog. I feel safer knowing she is around. She is always on alert; always watching.  She has worn bare spots along the fence line where she walks the perimeter so often.

I have been meditating on a scripture from Matthew today.  It is one of those scriptures we’ve all heard a million times, but sometimes the reason we’ve all heard it a million times is because it is an important one.

Matthew 24:42 (NIV)
"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”

“Keep watch” Jesus says.  I have been waiting; waiting for the Lord’s glorious return.  But watching?  Have I been watching?  Watching for what? Am I supposed to keep my eyes on the sky?  Well, you all know I am being a bit silly, but I wanted to dig into this verse and that is the way my mind works and reasons.

I’m certainly not a student of Greek, but my limited research shows me that the word used here means “to keep awake or to be vigilant”.  I have to admit I might have fallen asleep at my post a few times, maybe even wondered away when I was supposed to be on duty.  Sometimes I have been confused exactly where my post is and how to get there.

My children used to jump with excitement when their Dad came home from work.  They would run out to meet him in the yard or stand at the door beaming with excitement that their Dad was home. They heard his truck pull in or the door shut and they would jump up from what they were doing in order to meet him.  It was almost like they were on alert, listening out of one ear while they were playing.  

As they have grown older these days are fewer and farther between.  They still happen once in a while but certainly not like they used to.  Some days they are so busy with their day or with a friend that they don’t notice for quite some time that he is home.  For children, I suppose, that is a natural part of growing up.

As a Christian, I did not want to be like my children though. As a Christian, not being watchful was not a sign of growing up.  I did not want to be so wrapped up in “my” life that I forgot my duty, my post, and my watch.  I guess they really should be one in the same.

I hate to put it this way, but I want to be like the dog waiting for her Master’s return; ever vigilant, keeping the house safe until he arrives. I know that is not a very glamorous analogy, but it is simple. Sometimes my brain needs simple.  In order to inspire myself to be on the “watch” for Jesus, I found some scripture equip myself with; and of course I will share it with you.

Deuteronomy 4:9 (NIV)
Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.

 Lord, I pray that I will stay alert and at my post in order to train my children in your ways. So that they will follow in your path and bring glory to your name and teach their children to love you.

Psalm 130:6 (NIV)
My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.

Lord, I pray that you will renew my soul to watch and wait for your guidance and your direction – that I will long for your will in my life and walk daily with you.

Matthew 7:15 (NIV)
Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.

Lord, I pray that you will keep me alert and watchful for false teachers and false doctrines that will mislead me.  Give me discernment and wisdom to see what is hiding and lurking beneath the outer package.

Mark 14:38 (NIV)
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

Lord, please give me your strength because I am too weak to do it on my own.  Help me stay alert and flee from temptation.  I want to be ever watchful for sin that sneaks in my life; weather it be in thought or action.  Give me patience and persistence in prayer. Help me remember to turn to you and fight for you on my knees in prayer.

Micah 7:7 (NIV)
But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.

Lord, strengthen my faith in you that I will not grow weary.  I know you are the God who hears his people.  My hope is in you. You are my rock.

Isaiah 52:8 (NIV)
Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy. When the LORD returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes.

Lord, I pray that I will keep watch and be at my post when you return in order that I may see you with my own eyes and shout for joy with my own voice as a faithful soldier in your army.