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WAITING IN HOPE (PSALM 130)

REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is “Waiting in Hope” To wait means to stay where one is or delay action until a particular time or event. Hope implies a feeling of expectation and desire for something to happen. Waiting in hope means enduring patiently in anticipation of the salvation of the Lord. The purpose of the Advent season is to remind us believers to wait in hope for the second coming of Christ and His redemption. The psalmist in Psalm 130 prayed for the salvation of Israel while entreating Israel to put their hope in the Lord as their redeemer. We shall learn that:

1. Waiting in hope is not an event but a life of dedication

2. Waiting in hope is impossible without the Word of God.

Firstly, waiting in hope is not an event but a life of dedication that involves our entire lives. The Psalmist said, “I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits “(Psalms 130:5) How do we wait for the Lord with our whole being? Jesus gives us an emphatic answer when He said “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30) Again, Paul also teaches us how to dedicate our whole being to the Lord even as we await His second coming. He said “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” (Romans 12:1) Dear friend in the Lord, waiting for the Lord is holistic. It must be physical, spiritual, psychological and even emotional. Waiting for in hope must not be limited to our Sunday worship services but it must reflect in everything we do from morning to evening with our bodies. How we dress, talk, work, think and fellowship are all part of hoping with our whole being.

Secondly, waiting in hope is impossible without the word of God. The psalmist said, “I wait for the LORD…and in his word, I put my hope” (Psalms 130:5). The Word of God teaches us how to wait and prepare for the Lord. It is for this reason Jesus instructed the Disciples, in Matthew 28:20, “teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” The Psalmist confessed “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. (Psalms 119:105). Again Jesus made us understand that abiding by His teachings fundamental characteristic of a true disciple when He said ““If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32) Dear friend in the Lord, how can we claim to be Christians who are waiting in hope for the Lord yet some feel too lazy to study the word of God, some have no love for the word of God and most have no place for the word of God in their their hearts. It is clear in today’s reflection that reading, studying and applying the Word of God to our lives is part of preparing ourselves for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In summary, we have been reminded that waiting in hope is not an event but a life of dedication and again, waiting in hope is impossible without the Word of God. It is only when we have offered ourselves wholly and have obeyed His word faithfully that we can receive the forgiveness of the Lord (Psalm 130:3-4) and our redemption from sins (Psalm 130:3-4). Shalom.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, empower us to offer our whole life as a living sacrifice and also obey the Word even as we wait in hope for our Lord and Master Jesus Christ.