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 watchmen for the morning,
more than watchmen for the morning.

If you're like me, you like quick results. If a committee votes for a certain course of action, by tomorrow I'll want to know why it has not been acted upon.

One of the hardest pieces of advice Scripture gives us is to wait upon the Lord. The author of Psalm 130 conveys this in memorable fashion by comparing his experience to someone on the night shift. I imagine that for such a person, about 3 or 4 a.m. must be the worst time. The author's repetition of the phrase "more than watchmen for the morning" graphically conveys the sheer monotony of the night watch and the passionate longing for the first signs of dawn.

It is important to note that this is not just a general piece of advice to the effect that "all things come to those who wait" or "patience is a virtue." We are not just urged to wait, but to "wait for the Lord." When we wait for the Lord it is a hopeful and expectant waiting.

We are reminded that when we pray to God, sometimes the answer is not "Yes," nor is it "No"; it is "Wait." God always answers prayer, but sometimes it is in his own good time which may not coincide with our time.

Prayer: Lord, forgive our impatience, our demands for quick results. Help us not just to pray in faith but also to wait for you, confident that you will answer our prayers in the way that is best for us and in your own good time. Amen.

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