HIGHLIGHT
Psalm 130:5–6 (ESV): 5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; 6 my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.
EXPLAIN
The psalmist appears to be in great despair when he sings this song. Indeed, one could imagine Jonah penning this poem, or at least forming it in his mind, as he lay in the belly of the big fish: “Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD!” (v. 1).
The psalmist recognized that he was not perfect. Indeed, his despair may have been due to his sin and its consequences. But his hope was that if God tracked all our failures, we would surely be doomed, but he knew that God forgives freely.
So the psalmist waited upon the Lord.
APPLY
As I think about waiting upon the Lord, I think of a puppy waiting upon its master. His eyes watch his human, especially the human’s hands. He is ready to jump into action at any moment. He delights when his human is ready to play with him. He mourns when he must go away.
Do we wait upon the Lord with such fervor? Does any move of God excite us beyond measure? Are we patient, waiting for any sign of God’s activity in the world and our lives?
RESPOND
Heavenly Father, help me to wait upon you with fervor, hoping and trusting in you. Thank you for your grace and mercy, and the hope we have by trusting in you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.