I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. – Psalm 130:5-6 

In Psalm 130, the author compares waiting upon the Lord to watchmen waiting for the morning. These watchmen were the night guards of the city. They guarded the city all night, and as dawn arrived their duty was done. As we wait on the Lord, what do we have in common with the watchmen? Don’t you think the watchmen attempted to wish away time? This is a common theme to man.

If I can just make it to (fill in the blank), I will feel better.  Life will be better once I have (fill in the blank).

The reality is that waiting always involves the passage of time, even waiting for the Lord. For the watchmen, “the coming of the dawn was certain, but not without the passage of time.”

Waiting takes time. Simple in theory, difficult in reality. Waiting is difficult especially in our “right now” culture. Waiting may not require us to do much physically, but on a mental and emotional level, waiting can be excruciating. Think about the watchmen. They most likely fought fatigue and boredom while trying to stay alert to protect the city. They eagerly waited for the sun to rise, to be off duty, for light to break through the darkness and warmth to dissipate the cold. Are you waiting for light to break through? To feel hope again? For warmth in the coldness of a trial? As sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, so will the Lord come through on His promises.

The watchmen expected the sun to rise. Why? Because the sun has risen each day from the beginning of time. The watchmen knew the sun was reliable. If the sun is reliable, how much more reliable is the God of the universe? As we wait, we must remember God’s character and His faithfulness, and trust in His promises.

As the watchmen expectantly waited for the sun to rise, are you expectantly waiting on God? Even if He is waiting to give you something, are you presently looking for ways God is working in your waiting? He is with us and working even as we wait. Anticipate His faithfulness today and confidently hope in His promises.

Jeremiah, the author of Lamentations, laments over the sin and fall of Jerusalem throughout the entire book. To remind himself of God’s faithfulness as he waited for God to redeem Israel, Jeremiah wrote about God’s faithful love for us. Lamentations 3:22–25 reminds us of God’s faithfulness. Each and every morning, God gives us what we need: His steadfast love, never-ending mercies, sufficient grace, and goodness. We have a fresh supply each day. Even through difficulties, we can experience the love, kindness, and faithfulness of God every day. His mercies and love never run dry; they are a constant spring. This is solid ground, truth worth standing on. We can trust in His constant, faithful, and never-ending love for us.

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Passage taken from Behold: An Advent Study, Week 1, Day 5

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