God, the Watcher

Daniel 4:13 “In the visions I saw while lying in my bed, I looked, and there before me was a messenger, a holy one, coming down from heaven.”
 
A holy messenger from heaven came to the king. Some Bible versions record, “there was a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven.” (NKJV) “Watcher” will help us better understand God’s message to the king – and to us.
    There are two reasons God watches us: Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. God watches to reward the right and to judge the wrong.
    You see this in Genesis when God watches over Abraham to protect Abraham and Sarah. He corrects them in their sin and rewards their righteous faith. At the same time, God watches over Sodom. He sees its evil and sends messengers – watchers – to seek the righteous. The city does not repent, and God judges Sodom and its sister city, Gomorrah, to complete destruction.
    All ancient cities had watchers – or a watchman – to announce the coming of good news or bad, friends or enemies. An experienced watchman’s eyes could determine if good news or bad was on the messenger’s lips. He knew the movement of friend and foe. The watchman’s words were vital to a kingdom’s well-being. Nebuchadnezzar saw a holy one coming down from heaven. The king’s dark heart knows he is in danger. 
    This is one way to understand your relationship with Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. Made righteous – right with God – in his blood, you know through the Spirit your Savior is omnipresent – always with you – to watch over you for your good. His watching is as with Abraham. He leads you into a life away from sin and into his true way. As you obey his ways, Jesus’ watching directs you to a life blessed in his love and joy. John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 15:10 “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.”  
    God has personally sent Jesus to deliver a message of repentance and salvation. Jesus warns of the dangers. He promises safety in his death, resurrection and ascension. Rejoice and be glad God is a Watcher, who points you to his good.
 
Isaiah 43:1 But now, this is what the Lord says — he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”