The Promise of the Fourth Watch
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The Promise of the Fourth Watch
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I Prayed
have prayed
And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea (Matthew 14:25).
Recently, during the fourth watch of the morning (about 4 a.m.), the LORD directed me to look outside. Specifically, I heard: “Look outside, peer into the dark.” What I considered then to be a simple but unusual prompting in my spirit has proved more powerful and cathartic than I’d understood.
Have you taken your place on the wall?
Despite my discomfort, I put aside my hesitancy and obeyed. You see, unless I’m driving or otherwise enclosed, gazing into the darkness of night isn’t something I do. It’s not that I’ve thought much about it one way or the other, it just felt uncomfortable, and I’ve avoided doing so.
This night, as I pulled the thick draperies back and stared into the darkness, not diverting my eyes, but scanning as far as they could see, something happened. What was initially the minor discomfort of doing something new began to intensify as the ugliness of things associated with darkness and night pressed in on me. As I felt my heart rate increasing, I had to decide: Would I turn away, close the blinds, and return to the comfort of my usual place of watch — doing some of what I’d been asked to do, but not all?
Or would I stand, allowing what God knew was necessary to be accomplished? As I stood, determined to allow God to accomplish what He knew necessary, I felt the very real sense of the timeliness of His instruction. Recognizing the times we are in and the increasing likelihood that we’ll need to confront spiritual and physical evils most of us have not yet experienced, Yeshua’s exhortation, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven,” came to mind. And though I can’t say I heard His audible voice, I very clearly did hear the LORD releasing that I (we) cannot be sent into or receive assignments to defeat darkness if still carrying any seeds of fear of the dark or what may be cloaked in darkness. For example, how many of us as children used our blankets to “protect” us at night? How many of us as adults have experienced our children needing a night light to sleep?
Out of this simple act of obedience on my part — finally confronting a tolerated “fear” — God has healed and restored. Not unlike the disciples’ obeying Christ’s direction to cross the Sea of Galilee and not turning back, despite the headwinds of resistance and their own fear during the night. Similarly, our promise is that as we confront and/or encounter dark places, though making headway against the gates of hell may be difficult — even painful as the account in Mark 6:48 says — Yeshua is ever present, watching over us and interceding on our behalf. As with the disciples, He ensures our crossing over at the dawn of His arrival, the fourth watch. He will come to us when we call. Let us not turn back now.
If this article has stirred something within you, share your thoughts, prayers, and scriptures below.
Mavourene Robinson began in full-time ministry in 2014, campaigning for the Howard County Public Schools’ Board of Education in 2017–2018, and for the Maryland Senate in 2022. A lifelong learner about the intersections of faith with international relations and domestic policy, Mavourene is actively engaged in intercession for family, government, education, and religion. She releases prophetic insight at Judgment Begins in the House. Photo Credit: Casey Horner on Unsplash.
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Comments
A promise most needed…family members with addiction wear you out. I will not quit…for I know that the Lord is with me ALWAYS! This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it! I hear a beautiful bird song this morning. Praise you Lord!
Wow, this article definitely resonated with me. A clarifying description of what I believe has, is, and needs to happen with the Body of Christ in these increasingly dark times. The challenge and call to face our fears, doubts, our own ‘demons’ to solidify our faith and find God’s strength to overcome our own internal battles. As so well stated: “we
cannot be sent into or receive assignments to defeat darkness if still carrying any seeds of fear” within ourselves. So true.
My own experience and spiritual battles over the past couple years have involved as described in the article “confronting tolerated “fear” – in my case many fears. The debilitation and spiraling downward that came from NOT “confronting my own fears” led me to try to “encounter dark places” and “the gates of hell” in my own strength, which of course left me utterly defeated. ‘But for the grace of God’ and His indescribable power, love, and deliverance, have I emerged from the pit of darkness to stand again. But it was a hard and sobering lesson and one that I believe God is trying to teach to many of His people. “Anything that can be shaken will be shaken.” So we need to be “sober and vigilant” and attentive to the voice of God and the fears — or any sin — we tolerate. Thank you for sharing this.
And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea (Matthew 14:25).
Amen! This resonated so much with me. As I have been struggling with rising up at 4 am to pray. Now I understand what the fight and struggle is all about!! I repent!! The bible says on the fourth watch HE CAME TO THEM! Praying for the strength and willingness to meet YESHUA when He comes and calls me out of my comfortable boat and bed during the miracle hour of the fourth watch!!! The hour of WALKING ON WATER MIRACLES!!! HALLELUYAH!! Thank you so much for sharing.
🎯🙏🔥🕊🌎❤️🩸🐑
Father God in your great wisdom you have seen fit to empower our prayers. Give life to our thoughts, concerns, and words as we address the chaos the enemy does stir before us. Make straight our vision to the root causes of distress, unrest, and confusion. Give us prophetic words of power and grace to speak into being and becoming your will on earth as it is in heaven. Be glorified in the name of Jesus, your living word, the overflow of your hearts abundance, our intercessor seated at your right hand. Thank you for the lamb, thank you for the robe of righteousness, and the power of our words of prayer. Amen Amen.
Father GOD as I read what “Mavourene Robinson stated about “TOLERATED fear” got me to thinking-about the word tolerated -which means “endured” permitted” “or put up with”. Everyday we, we confront fear, and it has the potential to steal parts of our faith, that we have worked so hard to be strong in our walk with Jesus. We cannot allow it to overwhelm us. I’ve learned a lesson that God’s words for US is to understand are not Just words to read, they are Daily tools, like a spoon we use to feed ourselves. We act out these words from our mouth, then others pick up on the words. I as a kid I was afraid of the dark, I was afraid to go out after dark, not unless someone was with me. Isaiah-41-10 ” says Fear not I am with you” “For GOD gave us a spirit NOT of fear but of power. As I grew older and learned more about God and began to study His words- I got into the meat- I began to pray His words when I did not know how to go about praying for healing, praying about the darkness of demonic spirits, but it is all in the scriptures, words are a big importance when we speak them, we get trapped and satan takes advantage of the fear as it rises upon us. I’ve learned Proverbs 6-2 and say it frequently- “You are snared with the words of your lips, you are caught by the speech of your mouth”. I love the prophetic voices God has sent to us, Have gone to church for many years, never heard the words Decree and Declarations, I remember reading the words but did not understand them completely. We are in the middle of a war, middle of socialism, Palestine members marching and forcing their way into the Capital chanting hate words about America, Israel. God reminded me His words were needed – I declare that the freedom and liberty that marks this nation shall be kept safe and sacred. ” I declare and prophesy deliverance from all strongholds satan has sent through people he uses. I declare in The Name of Jesus that every evil word is spoken will come to be void. We decree no binding law will be forced upon us, because in Psalms 91-it says’5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor the arrow that flieth by day. When we quote these words and claim victory, because when we ask HE will give His angels charge over thee-I have also learned using Gods words is a weapon that releases the Power of Holy Spirit to prevail over us. Ephesians 6-10-18 speaks how to be strong and how to put on the Armor of God; Gods Armor is His words for us to stand against the devil’s schemes- read these words daily, take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish the flaming arrows from the evil one. Then He says pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and request”. Not last, not least –Plead the Blood of Jesus-that can be applied to every situation we have fear in. The Blood of Jesus covers it all! There is deliverance in the blood! “Father, increase our faith. Fill us with wisdom, understanding, and power to overcome and to prosper in all You allow us to encounter.” God I know You are going to come and provide that the power which created heaven and earth is in Your Voice. I do stand on Your promises, looking for thousands of our youth to find their way following in Your footsteps. We decree that the wicked will not take over America, our Schools we are at war with the evilness that has tried to destroy us. I praise Your name Father as I shout we will win, because our God has the Love and Power!!! Keep praying for Israel!!!! We will not tolerate any fear that the evil is promoting over Israel. Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid for God is with you.
Lord, help me to confront the “dark” places in my life. Lord, I want my light to shine in the dark places and everywhere I go. Thank You! Amen.
I am so grateful for this article. I have been struggling with my Fourth Watch assignments lately. I had been using late night tv to fall asleep. And the Lord removed that ‘crutch’. I was not immediately obedient or understanding of His need to remove my bedroom TV from my life. This article gave me the insight I needed to have peace and clarity about the surrender and going forward.
Father in the name of Jesus, we ask you to examine us, our habits and and our homes for spiritual darkness which is every bit as real as nightime darkness. Check & convict our hearts for dark attitudes such as bitterness, jealousy, anger, prejudice, pride, lust, addictions, check & convict us of our downtime and entertainment habits, convict of all compromises with tv, social media, music, literature, convict of how much time we are spending on worthless activities and help replace them with spiritually enriching activities, and family enriching activities instead like family devotion, board games, puzzles, crafts, learn a language together, color, get some how to books on how to paint or sketch then do it together, encourage each other, tell silly jokes together and laugh together more, play badminton or tennis together, walk together,bike together, write a story together, Father keep your people mindful always of being like the wise virgins who kept extra oil for their lamps and kept them burning so as to dispel the darkness even in their own homes, as well as the darkness of the night, thank you for hearing our prayers and answering them.
Good application, Victoria!
When I am afraid, I will trust in You! Psa. 56:3 This children’s song expresses my heart, Abba. Thank for for coming to us in the fourth watch, when the dark presses in, before the dawn breaks. You never, never, never, never, never . . . leave us or forsake us!
A Pastor, who spent many years in prison for his faith wrote, he was greatly encouraged knowing
“Do not fear” is in scripture 366 times.”
“Father in Jesus’ precious name, grant Your power, strength, comfort, help, to Your people so we can stand strong as “salt and light” in the darkness.” Amen
In the 4th watch He came to them walking on the sea…Matthew 14:32-33
Prayer: 1) “I thank you, Jesus, that You are ever present as I must make headway against the “gates of hell” in my family.
2)You comforted the disciples at the ‘4th Watch’ by getting in the boat with them. Your words: ‘Courage, it’s Me. Don’t be afraid!’ calmed their hearts.
3)Let the ‘winds die down’ over our recent controversy in my family. Let my grandson, my daughter-in-law & my daughter be stunned, shake their heads & wonder what is going on as my prayers penetrate this situation. Please show me my part in ‘making amends’ for any way in which I may have hurt them unintentionally. Jesus, please work a miracle of healing in my family & let it begin with me. In Jesus name, Amen.”
This is a very encouraging article. We need to be strong, bold, and unified as we serve the Lord. This is no time for complacency, or inhibition. We need to be able to discern the still, small voice of Holy Spirit.
Much occurs in these “night watches”. We do stare into the darkness but the clarion Voice of the Lord breaks through, strengthens us, and empowers victory over the darkness.
I suspect the “tone” of the following daylight is heavily affected by victory in the night watches.
In a way I have been facing fear of the dark too. I have to go out and close the chicken house after the chickens go in for the night. Sometimes, it is much later if I forget or if I’m away from home until later. I almost want to just leave the door open rather than go out in the dark.
Joan, My daughter-in-law has to make sure her chickens get inside each night as well. They live on 14 acres & coyotes, etc. would love to get in the chicken coop at night & cause havoc! I saw this “serving plate” recently at a Buc-cee’s store near North Shore State Park in AL It said: “My girls feed me breakfast.” It had a sketch of hens laying eggs on the serving plate. Take good care of those chickens! Let Jesus words comfort U as U tuck in the chickens: “Courage, It’s Me. Don’t be afraid.”
Awesome, thank you
Wow! The ‘fourth watch of the night’ where the Lord Jesus is waking his people to pray. Thank you Lord Jesus that you are showing us light in the darkness and dispelling the ‘seeds of fear’.
For the past four (4) years, God’s precious saints have bombarded hell through our prayers; praise, worship prophetic utterances and declarations and intercessions on behalf of others when we cry out to The Lord AMEN. Saints it is working. Let’s Cry out to The Lord even More Louder.