Watchers in the Night (Read Psalm 91)

CLICK HERE TO READ PSALM 91

This is a print of Thomas Blackshear II’s "Watchers in the Night" which was released in 1995.

Thomas said, "I hope you are reminded each time you look at this painting, that no matter what you are going through as God's child, there are angels under the Lord's command who are close by and ready to assist you."

This is another piece that my wife, Lisa, picked out for our home. We purchased this framed and matted print, not long after it was first released in 1995 and just months after our third (and final) son, Sam, was born. Lisa felt that this was a perfect illustration of the reality of our home – powerful and benevolent heavenly beings are watching over us at all times and in all places but most especially when we are most vulnerable. Lisa wanted this print to hang in the hallway outside of our bedrooms so that it would be one of the last things each of us saw before we went to bed every night. The angel in this painting is quite clearly not someone you would want to mess with. The angel’s demeanor, spear and protecting wings would be quite enough to warn off any unsuspecting creature with bad intentions. And then, for those of us who understand the symbolism, we see that the angel is armed with the presence of the Holy Spirit – the tongue of fire!

Below the print is the title of the painting, “Watchers in the Night” and a quote of Psalm 91:11: 'For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.'

Psalm 91 is a beautiful song of trust with a strong proclamation of God’s loving care for all who trust and obey. If you have not already read Psalm 91 please do so now . . . I’ll wait.

Wasn’t that wonderful? In this time of uncertainty and frustration we need to hear what God is saying to us. We need to learn how to listen, how to believe, how to trust, how to obey, and how to give thanks.

This artwork of painting and poetry is an accurate portrait of how God relates to us. Is it a guarantee of our absolute safety in God’s hands? Yes! God will always be faithful. Is an absolute guarantee of our safety in this life? No. We, and the people around us, have free will and are certainly capable of thwarting God’s will. But God will always be faithful!

​I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love – not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!
Romans 8:38-39