Now that we are in a watching time and the waiting season is over, we are going to notice things we missed or failed to see in the waiting season. The waiting season can be marked with striving, performing, trying to prove something, but the watching time is true rest, deep inhales and exhales, it is eyes wide open, heart responding and deep breaths.

I was driving down the same road I drive every Monday at the exact same time and the same measure of traffic was on the road, but as I looked to my left as I was creeping along in a long line of traffic, I noticed a cluster of grave stones I never saw before. The Holy Spirit smiled at me and I knew it was a nod to this new time of watching. When we are watching we see things that have always been there but we had not seen before.

In this time of watching, we are going to see things that will surprise us, shock us, anger us, delight us and capture us. One of the things we are going to see is justice, which is the the same coin as righteousness. We need to see justice, for righteousness exalts a nation (Proverbs 14:34) and when the righteous are in power the city rejoices (Proverbs 29:2). But we must also remember Ezekiel 33:11 “As surely as I live, says the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people of Israel! Why should you die?” When wicked people start receiving justice, it will not be a time to celebrate their death, but it is going to be a time of the fear of the Lord coming on the nations.

Remember this, every person has been given a chance to repent, but some literally refuse and if they persist in hurting others, they will have to face justice for their crimes against humanity. However, this is not reason for us to rejoice in their death, but rather to rejoice that righteousness is exalting the nation. File these thoughts away, you will need them in the near future.