Watching and Waiting

Scripture passage that caught my attention today: Psalm 130:6 my soul waits for the Lord
more than those who watch for the morning,
more than those who watch for the morning.

Observation: I’d like to know more about the tradition of those who watch for the morning. Might have to research that when I have a little more time. My assumption is that they were people specifically charged with keeping a look-out during the night hours to protect ancient cities from harm or at least from being caught off-guard. My further assumption is that the wee hours in the morning may have been some of the hardest hours to stay awake. Several hours of nothingness have passed, and couple more hours, presumably of nothingness, remain. Eyes get heavy and there is an eagerness for the light of morning to come so that the people can observe for themselves whether or not danger is on the horizon while the watcher takes a long-desired rest.

Application: Most of us of who have had our driver’s license for a while have probably had occasion to drive when drowsy. Perhaps we’re on a long trip, we stayed up late packing the night before, and it’s now late the following evening. Our kids and spouse are sleeping. It’s just us and the road…and heavy eyelids…can barely keep them open. Many of you have been there and know well that of which I speak.

Should something out of the ordinary occur—a police car pulling someone over, construction signs of the road narrowing to one lane, and the like can often break our drowsiness. But when nothing changes, when yellow strip after yellow stripe passes by, when there are few cars on the road and the cruise control has long since been set, keeping one’s eyes open can seem almost impossible. Morning and/or rest can’t come soon enough.

I’m think that’s what it might have been like for the watchmen. And, apparently, that was what it was like for the Psalmist too—though in the latter case the waiting was for the Lord.

It would be interesting to know how many people feel that way today. It seems that when things are going well, I’m not prone to wait for the Lord with much anticipation at all; I’m perfectly content. But when trouble looms, then it seems that the Lord can’t come soon enough! Hmmm…

Prayer: Lord, help us to wait with a little more anticipation, even as we continue to carry out the opportunities/callings you provide on this good earth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(Readings today included: Daniel 5-6, Psalm 130, and Luke 3)