When Waiting Matters

Why is waiting so hard? Being patient and doing nothing can seem like a waste, but nothing you do with God is a waste. Jesus asks you to sit and wait with him in the most challenging moments in life. The question is: what's stopping you?

Waiting creates space for you to remember and watch for all God is doing in your life, even when life gets difficult. In fact, all throughout the bible, authors of scripture remind us to wait and be still for the Lord.

The truth is that waiting is costly. It costs something to pause and feel like nothing is happening, and it costs something to remain still. But the reality is that when we wait on God, we hold onto the fact that he is a promise keeper!

Throughout the scripture are stories of God meeting people where they are and bringing all things to good. And because of what Jesus did on the cross, that promise is given freely to anyone who believes in him. God calls you to wait and watch in every moment. When it’s easy or when it’s hard, wait and see what the Lord will do in your life.

As God's people journeyed to Jerusalem, they often sang psalms of ascent, one of which was Psalm 130. Waiting for the promised Messiah to arrive and make all things right, they sang this song, holding onto God's truth.

Psalm 130
Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord:
Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.

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

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

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

Dive Deeper

In the middle of the waiting, pray Psalm 130 over your life. Fill in the blanks with your name and remind yourself that God is with you:

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

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