My Soul Waits for the Lord

Daily Devotional – Friday, September 1, 2023
My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning— yes, more than those who watch for the morning.
Psalms 130:6 (NKJV)

The work of the Levites was to provide support to the priests in the temple services. Part of a Levite’s job description included providing sentinel services. These watchers would signal the sun’s first rays at dawn, hence the commencement of the temple’s sacred rites. Owing to the long hours spent watching, the guards would long for dawn.

I Wait for the LORD

Similarly, ancient walled cities had watchtowers from which sentinels kept watch over the cities. Here, too, there was a need to keep awake in order to detect any threats from enemies. This was a wearisome job, and the guard would look forward to the morning when they would hand over to the day guards.

David alludes to these two scenarios when he states, “I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning—yes, more than those who watch for the morning.” (Psalms 130:5-6). The psalmist portrays himself as a sentinel longing for the relief, joy, and reassurance of a new day.

If You, LORD, Should Mark Iniquities

Apparently, David has sinned against the Lord and is seeking redemption and forgiveness. The king pleads with God for forgiveness, saying, “If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared.” (Verse 3-4).

To the believer, nothing is as risky and devastating as estrangement from God. The contrite soul, thus, seeks after God with a longing greater than that of a watchman for dawn. True rest and relief are found in being at peace with God, which implies that God has forgiven our sins.

My Soul Waits for the Lord

If your soul is troubled by sin or the cares of life and you seek God earnestly, know that He is ready to welcome you back home. Your longing for forgiveness, restoration, and peace will find fulfillment in the loving arms of Jesus. If your soul waits for the Lord, you are ready for God to live in you. Call on Him now and receive the peace He gives freely.

Prayer
My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning— yes, more than those who watch for the morning.