I’m in the middle of lots of activity, lots of decisions and lots of conflicting opinions. Thankfully, God spoke to me through Psalm 130:5-6, which reads:
“I wait for the Lord; my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.”
I’ve been – and am – waiting on God for direction and leading, so as I meditated on these verses I found the illustration of a watchman more and more helpful.
A watchman would stand by city gates or on the city walls, and like a guard would keep watch. His job would be to keep alert and raise the alarm of any approaching enemies – Ezekiel 33:1-3 gives us an example. There were different ‘watches’ throughout the day and night and sunrise would often be a change of watch, and therefore watchmen. A watchman’s job was considered so vital that a Roman soldier would be executed if he fell asleep during his watch.
So back to the Psalm – why would a watchman long for morning? Why this illustration?
I’m sure there are many more, but as I pondered these sprung to mind.
Sunlight brings rest.
The watchman can relax from his duties as he is replaced by another. As I wait on God for him to speak, his words bring me comfort and rest, just as Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30.
Sunlight brings clarity.
Night doesn’t exist during sunlight, and light brings certainty and vision. As I wait on God for him to speak, he reveals truth to me. Like light, he shows me how things really are and guides me onwards. Only God has the right perspective and all insight into life.
Sunlight brings warmth.
I love standing out as the sun rises in the morning or from behind shade. The warmth dances over my skin and I can see flowers and plants visibly respond to the suns heat. As I wait on God for him to speak, he draws close to me and wraps himself around me. He is a God who loves intimacy with me, and his very presence and embrace make everything feel OK again.
In the busyness of business and work of church, it’s good for me to wait, like a watchmen, for God to speak and draw close. If I’m not watching for Him, then what am I watching and waiting for?
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