“I wait on the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord more than the watchmen wait for the morning, more than the watchmen wait for morning.” (Psalm 130:5-6 NIV)
I’ve thought about it a lot this week, how waiting is a powerful posture. We tend to think otherwise. We say things like “time will tell” or “all we can do is wait” and our tone is typically resignation or defeat. But I am learning, there is power in waiting well, especially when we wait on the Lord.
The psalmist compares our wait to the watchmen and their longing for morning. A biblical watchmen would stay awake all night, on the wall or in the tower, and watch for threat. Darkness leaves us vulnerable, doesn’t it? The watchmen would stay alert so the city could sleep. They would surely long for morning: the shift would change, the threat would lessen, and they could get some shuteye.
Here’s the thing I’ve noticed about nighttime; eventually, it ends. Now I’ve had some long nights where it feels like time is warped and the fourth watch will never conclude. Sick kids, terrible pain, relational tension, and grief all stretch the hours out of proportion. But you know what? Morning always comes. Every time. The sun rises and the threat or pain or trouble lessens enough for us to get a little rest.
The psalmist says that we long for the Lord more than the watchmen long for morning. Why? Because nighttime will come around again for those who sit on the wall and in the tower. But when the Lord comes to collect His bride, darkness will cease forever. Pain and fever, sorrow and relational strife will all resolve in Him.
So we wait. We wait with great hope, with full hearts, knowing He will redeem and set all things right.
“…put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with Him is full redemption.” (Psalm 130:7 NIV)
Lord, we wait, now encouraged in the power of our posture. We look toward You, sure of the healing and wholeness You bring. Stir up our hope, O Lord. Amen.