In Ezekiel 33 God says that if the watchman on the wall sees the danger and warns the town and no one listens, then he is not guilty of what happens.
The prophets of old kept warning the people, but they would not listen, repent, or learn from the predicted consequences and were destroyed.
The watchmen and the prophets were often destroyed as well but they were not responsible for making people listen. They were just responsible for speaking up.
I have to remind myself of this daily. I can not make anyone truly listen, agree, remember, or apply the truth that I share with them. Most people have ears that do not hear eyes that do not see and arms that do not obey. I am responsible for sharing the truth with them and try not to let my own foibles get in the way of the message. I don’t want them to ignore God’s truths because I sounded a shaky trumpet or lived a life that made it hard to listen. I don’t want them to be able to say, “Your deeds shout so loudly that I can’t hear what you say.” Once I have shared the truth, my job is over and I must leave the outcome in God’s hands.
How can I tell if I have taken God’s job and am focused on making them change rather than speaking the truth and setting limits? Why, inner tension, of course. Any time I feel overwhelmed, stressed, discouraged, or fearful, it is because I have crossed the line into God’s part of the situation.
But, (you say) it is all so unfair—true, so dangerous—true, so sad—true. I might lose all my stuff, all my friends, my health, my reputation—true. These people that I love might be miserable or even die—true.
SO? For me to live is Christ to die is gain, In all these things I am more than a conqueror through him who loved me and gave himself for me, and no matter what, I will remain in his love. For what shall be able to separate me from his love? NOTHING!
Peace comes from pulling my focus from the feared outcomes and focusing on, “Am I still loved by God and have I obeyed?”
Obey—painful outcome–I am a success.
Do it my way—get the temporary outcome I want—I am a failure!
verlebellmd.com 
One reply on “Watchman on the wall”
Thank you for sharing this post today. It is a convicting reminder that I am to do the will of my Heavenly Father and not to worry about how others receive me. I am to speak forth the message of God. Once I have done that, then and only then am I released from the responsibility of warning. God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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