Evening Scripture

Psalm, Chapter 130

Out of the depths I cry to you, LORD;
Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.

If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.

I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.
I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.

Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.
He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.

Evening Reflection

Questions often dot our days, leaving us seeking answers. Why did this happen to me? When will this promise come to pass? What am I supposed to do? How can I keep going? Sometimes it seems as if there are too many questions and not enough answers. As it is, seeking God’s wisdom is not always quick or easy.

Psalm 130, however, encourages us to wait in hope when the nightly whispers of “why, O Lord” become overwhelming, and no answer comes. The psalmist also voiced questions to God, wondering if He was listening. Reminding the Lord of his cries, the writer then speaks to himself. He touches upon the human tendency to forget the faithfulness and goodness of God, which is why he declares that he will wait expectantly for the Lord’s redemption – as expectantly as a watchman searching for the first glimmers of morning. He watches not because the darkness will last, but because the light will come.

So it is with us. The same Lord who is overflowing with mercy and promises to redeem His people is the One we can rely on in our seasons of questioning and seeking. The “whys” and “what ifs” will likely continue to come to mind, especially in the quiet of evening. But when they do, we can speak to our doubts and fears: “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, And I wait for His Word” (Psalm 130:5). Or, as the prophet Micah said, echoing the words of the psalmist, “But as for me, I will be on the watch for the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me” (Micah 7:7).

The answers might not come as quickly as we want, but they will come as surely as the dawn. Let us watch and wait in hope.

Evening Prayer

Dear God,

Every night I bring my questions to You, Lord, but night after night, I keep asking the same ones with no reply. Your Word tells me that You listen and hear my cries. Nothing goes unnoticed by You. 

Instead of focusing on the slowness of the answer’s coming (at least slow according to my standards), fix my eyes on Your faithfulness. Let me meditate on Your mercy, remembering the grace You have shown in forgiving my sins. You are the great Redeemer, and so I look to you and wait, trusting You will bring about the answers to my questions in Your perfect timing. Until then, I wait and watch, trusting that You will act. In Jesus’ name, I pray.

Amen.

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Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.