I wait for the Lord

Lynn McChlery March 23, 2026 3 0

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Psalm 130 (NIV-UK)

1 Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;
2     Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
    to my cry for mercy.

3 If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,
    Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
    so that we can, with reverence, serve you.

5 I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
    and in his word I put my hope.
6 I wait for the Lord
    more than watchmen wait for the morning,
    more than watchmen wait for the morning.

7 Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
    for with the Lord is unfailing love
    and with him is full redemption.
8 He himself will redeem Israel
    from all their sins.

I used to walk my Labrador each morning with a group of other dogs. Occasionally, we arrived first at the meeting place. At that point, my dog would plant her paws and refuse to go further. She knew the others would arrive soon, and pulling the lead to move her on met with full-blown resistance. She waited – but not as if standing in a queue, bored and disengaged. She waited with anticipation, ears up, eyes alert, sniffing the air, instantly responsive to any sight or sound that her friends were approaching. She knew they would surely come, and her whole being waited.

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits – more than watchmen wait for the morning. This Psalm catches the writer in that in-between place. In distress, his heartfelt cry for mercy has gone up to God; he knows God’s love never fails and that renewal and restoration are guaranteed. But he doesn’t see that happening yet – his feelings and circumstances haven’t changed. So we find him poised and attentive, hope-filled in the dark place, head up and eyes scanning the horizon for the breaking light of God’s new life.

Is there a situation or a person for whom I have cried out to God, and haven’t (yet) seen any answer? What’s my attitude as I wait?

Prayer:

Lord, forgive my impatience when you inexplicably prefer your timescale to mine! Forgive me when my hope in your Word wavers, my head is down, my energy sags, and I doubt your loving purposes.

Today, would you keep me alert to the small signs that you are at work – a helpful word, an encouragement, a loving gesture, a step towards healing. And help me to trust that as a signpost towards your full salvation to come. Amen.