‘Watchman, what is left of the night?’

Christmas Message: Rev. Benjamin A.A. Samuel Administrative Bishop New Testament Church of God SVG & St. Lucia

Season’s Greetings to the Government and people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Caribbean and beyond.

As the evening shadows of 2004 lengthen, we are faced with the fact that the day is almost gone and night is coming on.{{more}}

Isaiah, the “Prophet of Redemption”, penned some prophetic words which must attract and arrest the genius of our thought patterns.

Someone calls to me from Seir, “Watchman, what is left of the night? Watchman, what is left of the night?” The Watchman replies, “Morning is coming.”

Isaiah’s prophecy was concerned with the deteriorating and degrading state of a nation, and the miseries that would follow as a result. Being burdened and distressed over the condition of God’s people, Isaiah “walked naked” for three years as a sign and wonder among them. That nation was about to suffer a woeful invasion at the hand of their enemies.

Having celebrated 25 years of nationhood, Hairoun must ask itself this question – “What invasion infests our land today?” G.A. Young writes, “God gives a song, in the night season and all the day long.” Another hymn-writer penned: “Anyone can sing when the sin’s shining bright; But you need a song in your heart at night.”

The question, therefore, that demands our immediate attention is “Watchman, what is left of the night?”

Any sane and conscientious individual, who looks rather than follows where the crowd is going, would admit that there is drastic deterioration of convictions in our society. We are invaded by Braggarts, Character Abusers, Criminal Activities, Cruelty and Mercilessness, Dangerous Lies, Deadly Hate, Evil Habits, Evil Speakers, Fault Finders, Injustice, Lustfulness, Non-dependableness, Painful Grudge, Rebelliousness and Irreverence, Same Sex Relations, Scorners of Good, Self Glory, Sinful Fashions and Customs, Strife, Stubbornness, Unforgiveness, Unlawful Relationships and Vain Desires.

The word of God declares that these things come as a result of fleshly lusts where the flesh and the Spirit are at war.

If the best exhibits we can offer our children come from half naked dress patterns supported by ‘jump and wind’ and coupled with the language of words that demean their education, then we are defeating the purpose of moral ethics while, at the same time, setting traps for Peace Officers. We may have to forget building our Cross-Country Road which is vital development, and build prisons on Baliceaux and Battowia.

Someone said- “We are fighting a losing battle.”

Isaiah’s message did not stop at righteous judgement, but promised hope of deliverance through the Coming Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. The watchman replies, “Morning is coming.”

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders: and He will be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. (Isa. 9:6 NIV.)

Many, many people, having turned their backs on the “Prince of Peace,” are paying a very high price for what their nights offered. Some have even gone beyond the point of ‘no return.’

Friends, do we have any hope? There is hope! The morning comes to bring hope. Here’s good news for the hopeless:

‘“Come now, let us reason together,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be red as crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Isa. 1:18 NIV.)

You can respond to Jesus today: Out of my bondage, sorrow and night, Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come; Into thy freedom, gladness and light, Jesus, I come to Thee. Out of my sickness into thy health, our of my want and into thy wealth; out of my sin and into thyself – Jesus, I come to thee.

On behalf of the Clergy and Laity of the New Testament Church of God in the St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Lucia Diocese, I wish you a Christ-centred Christmas Season and a Holy Spirit filled New Year.