You Are a Watchman
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. Isaiah 52:8
There is glory and suffering as a law enforcement officer. Over the years, you have seen one senseless tragedy after another, a pain that discriminates against no age, social status, or race. Tragedy can strike anyone at any time. Yet you stand your watch, relentlessly serving and pursuing those who do evil, which is a never-ending battle. As you gather with other officers, the conversations sometimes turn dark, and someone often wonders if the pain you endure and the burdens you bear are all worth it.
And then you remember: Where would this world be without watchmen on the wall? You stand guard, pursuing those wolves who prey on innocent sheep, protecting those who stray from the flock into harm’s way. Deep in your soul, if people like you were not on the watch, this world would have gone to hell a long time ago.
Pursue evil when it comes. Apprehend those who violate the laws. Serve and help those who are helpless. But never relent in your duty as a watchman, for you are part of God’s plan, delivering hope to people in need.
Heavenly Father, thank you for this honor to serve your people and kingdom as a watchman—to protect, serve, pursue, and apprehend evil. For this, there is no greater honor. Amen.
You Restore Order
But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way. 1 Corinthians 14:40
Some people live their entire lives in disarray—one bad relationship after another, one terrible financial decision after another, parenting problems, and in and out of prison. When you talk to people like this, some tell you none of it is their fault, and some honestly tell you they made many bad decisions. But along the way, you will have the opportunity to intervene and have tremendous positive influence in the lives of people.
Restoring order isn’t something that began with the inception of the law enforcement profession. Order is in the nature of God; He desires it in our lives, society, churches, and the world. While 1 Corinthians 14:40 is a portion of Scripture where the apostle Paul was reproving the Corinthians for disorder in the church, everything we do in life should be done in a “fitting and orderly way,” so we honor God. Even amidst the chaos, remember the work you are doing is part of God’s plan; it is pleasing to Him, and restoring order in society is nothing to be taken lightly.
Heavenly Father, thank you for showing me the example of order through your Word and using me to restore order in society. Help me to maintain order in my own life. Amen.
You Are Focused
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13
We may not immediately correlate the words focus and stress in the same sentence, but it has repeatedly been supported that untreated stress, unhealthy lifestyles, and bad habits lead to chronic fatigue and other issues. As law enforcement professionals, it is understood and an accepted part of the job that there will be odd hours, rotating shifts, high stress, and moments of anxiety. However, allowing stress and fatigue to go unaddressed, either as law enforcement officers or private citizens, can lead to much more severe issues.
Developing healthy sleep and nutrition habits, solid relationships with partners on the job and away from work, and a healthy home life will lend to better patterns of addressing stress and fatigue. When stress dominates our lives, we live in a place of constant defeat, making it difficult to focus on doing excellent work in law enforcement. Today, find healthy ways to relieve stress and build healthy habits in your life. Take time in prayer and reading the Bible, give those things to God, and allow Him to provide you peace. As you take these steps, you will see a massive improvement in your overall focus in life.
Heavenly Father, thank you for taking the burden of my stress, giving me rest, precision, and intense focus on you, on duty, and in life. Amen.
You Are More than a Conqueror
I am in the midst of lions; I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords. Psalm 57:4
Some people perform at their prime under pressure, while others crumble at the slightest hint of it. Most law enforcement officers rise to the challenge anytime the pressure is on, performing at their highest levels. Some say it’s adrenaline, and some say it’s genetics, but at the end of the day, it comes down to character. How we respond to adversity has more to do with who we are than what we are.
At some time in your career, you may find yourself like the psalmist in Psalm 57:4, among lions, dwelling with ravenous beasts and in a less-than-pleasant situation. In these moments, when the tension is at a fevered pitch, your heart is pounding, and your mind is racing, remember you are more than a conqueror in Christ. Not only do you have your faith, and not only are you prepared mentally and spiritually, but you are also one of the most well-trained professionals on the street. Affirm that you are more than a conqueror. Never let those skills grow stale, and never let your relationship with God grow cold.
Heavenly Father, thank you for standing with me through intense pressure. Thank you for making me more than a conqueror before the battle begins; thank you for victory. Amen.
You Restore the Broken
Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head; many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me. I am forced to restore what I did not steal. Psalm 69:4
One of the blessings of your work is serving people who may declare their hate for you, either to their friends or on social media. But when someone breaks into their home or car, or someone assaults them, and they become a victim, they call on law enforcement to help. When you respond, it is a wonderful example of love in action. These are opportunities to reveal the true love of Christ through your actions.
When you can take steps to help restore someone’s life by helping them get the resources they need or getting them professional assistance, they can see through the propaganda in society and see the humanity of law enforcement. They see the hearts of the men and women behind the badge. Think about how God has used your service to restore the lives of broken people—through words or actions—and how He has strategically positioned you, even in the presence of your enemies, as a minister for His glory.
Heavenly Father, may all those I serve see a true reflection of your lovingkindness through my actions and service today, and may you receive my work as an honorable gift back to you. Amen.
