Waiting Like Watchmen

by Missy Grant

“My soul waits for the Lord more than the watchmen for the morning; Indeed, more than the watchmen for the morning.” Psalm 130:6

In Beth Moore’s Bible Study, Stepping Up, she says this about Psalm 130, “Perched on a city wall, the ancient watchman served the original nightshift. He watched for nothing more closely than morning itself. The fate of the entire village rested on his shoulders. If he dozed or became distracted, enemy forces could overtake him. His eyes constantly searched the horizon for hints of anything unusual. In some ways the watchman’s ears were more important to his task, enabling him to hear what he could not see. No more beautiful sight existed for the watchman than the sun raising its fiery head on the eastern horizon. The watchman could gather his robes, store his weapons, kiss his wife good morning, and fall in the bed with the relief of a job accomplished. Some called him brave. After he’d spent the black of night scared of his own shadow and jumping at the sound of a breaking twig, he knew when morning came safely that he wasn’t brave. He was blessed.”

Have you spent the black of night jumping at your shadow recently? Are life circumstances (fatigue, bitterness, disappointment, finances, loss of relationship, boredom, challenges with your children or spouse) causing you to lose sight of the ‘One who owns the morning’? Does satan have a stronghold in your life that has caused you to sleep through your watch?

Let’s go back to the Beth Moore paragraph and pull out a couple of thoughts. “If he dozed or became distracted, enemy forces could overtake him.” What is distracting you today? Have you spent time with the one who can’t be overtaken? “In some ways the watchman’s ears were more important to his task, enabling him to hear what he could not see.” Aaahhh….the definition of faith! Hearing what we can’t see. Believing what we can’t see. Trusting what we can’t see. Hearing is an active verb that requires a quiet spirit. If you are always talking – you won’t hear the one speaking!

Do not be discouraged today! Spend some time acknowledging your Lord right now. Ask Him to quiet your heart, showing you any strongholds which are causing you to lose sight of him. Ask Him to give you His peace and His strength in waiting on Him…. ‘more than a watchman for the morning…’

O Mighty God, we praise your name. We confess Lord, that we fall short of your glory. Lord, there might be strongholds which need to be taken away. Give us the courage in You to allow for those to be exposed and removed by your heavenly hand. Give us the strength to wait patiently for your timing in our lives. Give us listening ears and hearts like soft clay. We praise you today, Lord. Amen.