Waiting and Hoping

July 13, 2025

There are several psalms (songs) in the book of Psalms that are titled “A song of ascents.” Faithful Jews would sing these psalms as they traveled to Jerusalem and ascended the mountain to the temple. One such psalm is Psalm 130. If you are where you can, open your Bible to Psalm 130 and read along with me. Listen as the psalmist begins, “Out of the depths I have cried to you, O LORD.” Previously the Psalm writers have cried out from the “depths of the earth” (Psalm 71:20) and the “depths of the grave.” (Psalm 86:13). If we look ahead to verse 3, we find the writer of this psalm is writing from the depths of awareness of his own sin and iniquity. He cries out to the LORD (Yahweh, the Covenant God of Israel). Then in verse 2, he pleads to the Lord (Adonai, the Master or Ruler). Both of these names are different titles for God. While most of our English translations use the title God or LORD, the Hebrew Bible has many different names for God, each of which describes a characteristic of Him. Verse 2 finds the Psalmist asking God twice to hear his prayers. This double request is more than a poetic tool. It shows us the depths and intensity with which the Psalmist is praying. Verse 3 tells us that if God kept a list of His children’s sins and iniquities, “all God’s children” would be in a heap of trouble. Verse 4 begins with the wonderful word “but.” Verse 3 tells us that when sinful man appears before God on his merit, none of us stands a chance. Aren’t you glad the phrase “but God” appears so many times in His word? Verse 4 teaches us that we find forgiveness in God. Ultimately, that forgiveness is found in the blood of Jesus. Without God’s intervention, mankind would be in a state of permanent hopelessness. The end of verse 4 teaches another important truth about God. One of the byproducts of God’s forgiveness is building a sense of gratitude in those He forgives. This gratitude should lead us to an appropriate desire (fear) not to offend the One who has been so gracious. After crying out to God for forgiveness, the psalmist then waits for the refreshing relief that God’s forgiveness brings. This wait isn’t entirely passive; the psalmist is not only waiting, he is also hoping. Both his wait and his hope are in God. Verse 6 reminds us that many people caught in the hopelessness of despair are simply waiting for morning. We are taught that things always look better and more hopeful in the light of day. However, waiting and hoping in God brings way more peace and certainty to His children than morning ever could.  In verses 6 and 7, the psalmist ends with a plea to Israel (God’s people) to hope in Yahweh, because with Him, there is not just redemption, but “abundant” redemption. I don’t know about you, but I need that abundant redemption because my sins are abundant. Diving into this Psalm was a wonderful way for me to begin my day. I hope it was a blessing for you as well. Now, as you are waiting and hoping for God, go be a blessing to others . . .

Bro. Andy