This is why I wait upon you, expecting your breakthrough, for your Word brings me hope.
I long for you more than any watchman would long for the morning light. I will watch and wait for you, O God, throughout the night. Psalm 130:5-6 (TPT)
I am a person of action. When I make a decision, I want to act on it right away; set the plan into motion, get things accomplished. When Ken and I were newlyweds moving into our first place, I had a failed waiting moment. I had driven the U-Haul truck from Ohio to Illinois while Ken drove the car. It was important to me at the time to drive that truck because it gave me a feeling of self importance. If I’m totally honest, I had something inside me that made me feel like I needed to prove my worth to my dad even though this move really had nothing to do with him. Ken pulled into the house just ahead of me. I rolled down the window, and we spoke. Ken said, “Why don’t we pull it into the yard and back it up to the door. Do you want me to do it?” Living in my self-importance of the moment, I told him, “No, I can do it.” Ken started walking towards the front door, I pulled the truck onto the lawn. Ken turned around and started to wave his arms. Because it has been a bit, I’m not totally sure what was going through my mind as I saw him waving his arms, but it did not compute in my brain that I should apply the brake. I kept right on trucking across that yard. BAM!!! The top of the truck hit the overhang of the house. I rammed the truck into the corner of the house! There was a huge dent in the truck which would end up costing us about $350, money we did not possess. Suddenly, I was not feeling the smugness of self assurance. If I had only waited...paused for a moment...delayed my action to question him or maybe take direction, my action might have not been so costly.
2021 was a year of waiting for me. Specifically the Lord had spoken to my heart to wait. My world had felt upside-down. Fear of the unknown and anxiety over my situation had knocked on the door of my heart. I needed a plan to make it through this storm, and what I hear from the Lord is one word…WAIT!
I did not hear Him speak to the storm...Peace be still. (Although He became my Peace in the waiting). I did not hear Him say to do A, B, and C (Although He was doing A, B, C all the way to Z. He is the Alpha and Omega). Nor did I hear Him say here is how I want you to set a plan in action. (After all, it is in my weakness that His strength is shown.) I heard...WAIT!
God heard my reply, ”Are you kidding me? I am in the midst of a Category 5 Hurricane. Maybe some action is needed here!” Surely you can imagine some of my struggles with this word. At a few places, I even interjected myself to do things that I thought would help God arrive at a plan of action, a plan for evacuation! But His plan was waiting, and what a sweet time it became after I truly surrendered to the wait.
I have come to the realization that waiting is full of action. In the waiting, I have seen the goodness and mercy of my Father. His forgiving love mentioned in verse 4 is the reason David says he is able to wait. In the midst of the waiting is the expectation of God doing because in the waiting, hope has been delivered. Just like in this psalm, my waiting became a time of longing...longing to hear the Lord speak to me, longing to see the Lord reign in my heart, longing to live in communion with my Father, longing to be fully surrendered to my Father’s will. The wait transitioned to a watchful wait. I began to search for the Lord in the wait. Matthew 7:7 tells us “seek and you will find”. I began to seek His Word...it brings hope. I was not disappointed in what I found. I found what the psalmist found...Keep hoping, keep trusting, and keep waiting on the Lord, for He is tenderhearted, kind, and forgiving. He has a thousand ways to set you free! (Psalm 130:7). I found the kindness of God, His forgiveness because as I waited, He showed me things about myself that needed to be forgiven. His tenderheart was turned toward me as He began to empty the baggage I have been carrying on my journey through this life. Baggage I was never meant to carry. He began to bind my heart to His and just like scripture tells us His yoke (the binding agent) is easy and His burden is light. (Matthew 11:30) One of a thousand ways he has brought freedom!
Friend, I encourage you, if you are at a place where the Lord is speaking WAIT...choose obedience and WAIT. In the waiting, you will find your Father and He does not disappoint!
Father, thank you for speaking your life into me. Thank you for the hope that your Word produces. You are tenderhearted, kind, forgiving, and so worthy of praise. You have begun a good work in me during this time of waiting, and I know you will see it through to completion. You are active on my behalf while I watch for you. You bring the breakthrough of every promise. You are my sustenance and peace as the storm blows around me, I will wait for you.
Think of a time when God asked you to WAIT. What was God doing while you were waiting? What did you learn while waiting?
Did you try to “help” God out in the process? What was the result of your “help”?
Why do you think God would ask you to WAIT?
When have you identified God’s character traits of tenderheartedness, kindness, and forgiveness? Did He unpack some of your baggage?
Read the entire Psalm 130. What sticks out to you? What is a nugget you can treasure
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