March 26, 2020

A complete list of lectionary readings for Year A is located at https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/daily.php?year=A
Psalm 130 

Waiting for Divine Redemption

A Song of Ascents
1   Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.
2        Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
    to the voice of my supplications!
3   If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
    Lord, who could stand?
4  But there is forgiveness with you,
    so that you may be revered.
5  I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
    and in his word I hope;
6   my soul waits for the Lord
    more than those who watch for the morning,
    more than those who watch for the morning.
7  O Israel, hope in the Lord!
    For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
    and with him is great power to redeem.
8  It is he who will redeem Israel
    from all its iniquities.
Grace, peace and mercy be multiplied to you from God our Father, and the Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Amen.

Waiting.

What comes to mind when you hear that word?

Songs come to mind for me.

From the Taizé’ community, this song:

“Wait for the Lord, his day is near
Wait for the Lord, be strong take heart.”

Hymns from Advent are filled with the anticipation and waiting for the coming of the Lord.

And lyrics from secular songs come to mind as well. Just to name a few:

  • "Anticipation is making me wait."
  • "The waiting is the hardest part."
  • "Waiting on the world to change."

And now you have these songs running through your head for the rest of the day. You’re welcome!

We are in a time of waiting. A time in the wilderness, not knowing when this time will end, and something new begins.

Waiting.

Just as Psalm 121 ( see Monday’s devotion ) is a song of ascents for pilgrims making their way up to the Temple in Jerusalem, Psalm 130 is a song of ascents that ties the waiting for the Lord with hope.

5  I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
    and in his word I hope;

In his word, I hope.

Let us continue to find hope in the Word of God, reminding us that our waiting is not in vain.

I am reminded of these words – I don’t remember who said each of them, but I find them to be a good reminder.

  • “God is not always on schedule, but God is always right on time.”
  • "God’s ways are not our ways."
  • "And God WILL make a way."
  • "God is with us, even in the waiting."

Christ has died, Christ is risen and Christ WILL come again.

Wait for it. (Yep, another song just came to mind).

Let us pray:
O God, we wait. Wait with us. Give us patience. Give us hope. We pray this in the name of your Son, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Remember to...