SCRIPTURE
Psalm 130:5-6 – I wait for the LORD; my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who watch for the morning.
WORTH WAITING FOR
Patiently waiting is not my go-to response when I want something to happen. I prefer action to passively sitting. Is the meal over? What are we waiting for? Let’s get out that dessert! Is there a point to this story? For goodness sake, let’s hear it already. Are we going to get stuck in the planning? Let’s jump to the activity! We are wasting time!
Rushing to action is not always a bad thing. For example, settling a conflict is usually better before the dispute has time to fester. There are times, however, when impetuousness can create a deeper conflict. The “leap before you look” initiative doesn’t always leave time to consider the fallout, and that leads to mistakes – mistakes which can result in falling away from the will of God.
My church family often hears me say: God is constantly reconciling God’s people back to God. We make mistakes; God forgives. We fall apart; God restores. We deserve anger; God offers grace. We walk away; God calls us back. God is constantly reconciling God’s people back to God.
Lately I find myself craving the reconciliation. I’m falling into all the categories. Mistakes? I don’t always say the right thing, and then I feel awful. Fall apart? I cried yesterday because some of my friends are hurting over their current situation. Deserve anger? I’ve had a few grumpy moments at home lately. Walk away from God? It’s really easy to get caught up in working and miss a devotion here or a prayer there. Yes, I’m just like everyone else, but thanks be to God who offers forgiveness, restoration, grace and calling. Praise be to God because God is the only one who can offer such.
In the times when I fall short and need God’s blessing, I love the promises of Psalm 130. With the Lord comes unfailing love and full redemption, but there is really nothing I can do to speed up the process. I simply have to wait for it. “I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who watch for the morning.” Whether the psalmist means priests who wait for daylight to offer sacrifices or (more likely) guards waiting for the darkness of night to pass, the objective is patience and waiting in hope.
I often tell my children not to make heavy decisions after the sun goes down. I think that is solid advice because things are never as bad in the light as they seemed in the dark. To me, waiting in hope for the light always creates a more favorable ambiance. With hope and light, the promises of God come to life; with Jesus comes great power to redeem! God is constantly reconciling God’s people back to God!
As we continue through Lent, journeying ever closer to the cross, and anticipating the resurrection of Jesus the Messiah, my hope and the reconciliation of my life is in the Light of the World… and that’s worth waiting for.
Waiting,
Pastor Beth
PRAYER FROM PSALM 130
O Lord, in my times of struggle, I cry out to you. Thank you for always hearing me and offering me forgiveness. Amen.
