Psalm 130:5 – “I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.” — Psalm 130:5 (NIV)
Waiting is never easy. Whether it’s waiting for answers to prayer, for clarity in decisions, for healing in our bodies, or peace in our hearts, waiting stretches us. Our culture doesn’t make it easier either. We live in a world built on speed and instant gratification, where patience is rare and delay often feels like disappointment.
And yet, Scripture reminds us that waiting on the Lord is not wasted time. It is holy ground.
THE SONG OF A WAITING HEART
Psalm 130 is part of the collection known as the Songs of Ascent, also referred to as pilgrim songs, sung by travelers making their way to Jerusalem. They weren’t casual tunes; they carried depth, longing, and hope. In this particular psalm, the writer cries out “from the depths”, pleading for mercy, aching for redemption, and clinging to the promise that God will come through.
The NLT captures the heart of it beautifully: “I am counting on the Lord…” To wait on God is to lean the full weight of your hope on Him, to count on Him when nothing else seems dependable.
YOU’RE NOT ALONE IN THE WAITING
Sometimes, in the middle of our struggles, it’s easy to feel like we’re the only ones wrestling with delay or unanswered prayers. But the story of Scripture shows us otherwise. Everyone who walked with God walked through seasons of waiting.
Noah waited for the floodwaters to recede.
Abraham and Sarah waited decades for the child God promised.
Joseph waited in prison before stepping into his destiny.
Hannah waited in tears for a son.
David waited years between being anointed king and actually becoming one.
The people of Israel waited generation after generation for the Messiah to come.
And then, when Jesus came, He brought the promise that one day He would return again. Now we wait—not in despair, but in hope—knowing that He will make all things right. Waiting has always been part of the journey of faith. You’re not walking this road alone.
THE PURPOSE IN THE PAUSE
Waiting on God is not about sitting with folded hands until something changes. It’s about leaning into Him during the pause. It’s about allowing the delay to deepen your dependence, refine your character, and strengthen your hope.
When you wait on the Lord, you position yourself to receive from Him—strength for today, comfort for your soul, and fresh confidence in His promises. The very act of waiting draws you closer, because it keeps you tethered to the One who is faithful.
AN INVITATION TO TRUST
Advent, the season of waiting and anticipation, reminds us that God always keeps His word. The first coming of Christ fulfilled centuries of longing, and His return will fulfill the longing we still carry today.
So wherever you are, whether in the midst of uncertainty, pain, or unanswered questions: let Psalm 130:5 be your prayer:
“I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His word I put my hope.”
FINAL ENCOURAGEMENT
As you wait on the Lord, don’t mistake delay for distance. God is nearer than you think. He invites you to come close, to rest in Him, and to discover that waiting with Him is never wasted. Because in the waiting, He is working. And in the waiting, He is with you. Amen.
