With the Lord is unfailing love

Have you ever been so tired that you wanted to sleep, but couldn’t get to sleep or stay asleep?  And then other times when you know you need to stay awake, you fall asleep quickly?  It is a frustrating experience, but a reality we have faced.  The balance of rest and activity is complex and frustrating at times.

There are times when life gets overwhelming and it seems like there is nothing you can do except wait for God to move.  It is in this waiting that we struggle to rest in God’s sovereignty.  We want to take things in our control and make something happen, when waiting on God is the correct decision.

Then there are times when we see God at work, but struggle to know how best to join in.  People growing in faith, and we don’t want to hinder them, but guide them into maturity in Christ.  We question our role in God’s actions and wonder why or how he would use us and then struggle to even join in.

In Psalm 130 we see that the author is using the similar words that Jonah using while in the belly of the whale as he cries out to God.  In the same way as Jonah the author and the people who sing this psalm are looking for God to move in a situation that they could not overcome themselves.  They cried for God to move, and now we see the attitude they take in waiting.

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.

They are not passively waiting for God to move rather they are actively waiting and watching for Him.  I used to work on third shift as a security guard.  I watched for the sunrise every work night; it was a promise that I anticipated.  The end of work and the beginning of a new day.  We know that God will work, but in His timing, we are to anticipate and search for His movement.

He is the God of redemption and rescue, His promises are sure, and His love is deep.  Verses 7-8 remind us of how we can hope in God’s sure work:

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.

God’s unfailing love is a promise for our work and rest, a promise that allows us to join in when we see Him work and when we must wait for Him.  Take hope, our God does not sleep or ignore our cries, but is waiting for His perfect timing to move and act.