If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared. —Psalm 130:3-4

Today’s verses give us something to “watch for” while we are waiting, and it’s something that we should always keep in mind. As we wait on the Lord for His answer to our prayers, often we will be led to examine our lives a little more deeply. “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not heart” (Psalm 66:18). Hold up! Can it be that sometimes we’re the cause of being in this position of having to wait? What is the Lord trying to tell us? It’s natural and good for our minds to go here when the answer to our prayers doesn’t appear to be forthcoming. Have I done something wrong? Have I displeased God in some way? The Hebrew word translated “regard” in Psalm 66 means to approve, to enjoy, or to look upon with favor. If you’ve been looking on sin of any kind with favor, enjoying it, or even approving of it, in your life or in the lives of others, the Lord will not hear your prayer, and you need to repent. That may seem obvious, but it needs to be considered. In most cases, however, God isn’t making us wait due to some sin in our lives but more often it has to do with helping us to grow in our trust and faith in Him. Remember this example? “Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea toward Capernaum. And it was already day, and Jesus had not come to them. Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing. So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid. But He said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid.’ Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going” (John 6:16-21).

In chapter six of Mark’s gospel, we learn a little more of the story. Jesus came to them walking on the water during the fourth watch of the night just before dawn. He also mentions that when Jesus got into the boat, the sea was instantly calmed. Putting these two versions of that night together, we want to consider a few things. It was evening when they set out, and the Bible tells us that while Jesus was still on the shore, He saw them straining at the oars (Mark 6:48). And yet He didn’t go to them immediately but waited until it was almost daylight!

Although we can’t try to read their thoughts, I know what I would probably be thinking: Why did Jesus send us into this? And after arriving safely on shore after He had come walking on the water, I would likely be wondering, Why did He wait until the last minute and let us row against the wind all night for miles? But stop right there! We need to combat that kind of thinking, fellow wait watchers, and we must watch for and remember that when the end of waiting comes, also comes the end of struggle and fear. Always, always remember: your greatest need has already been met. Our psalm today states, “If You, Lord, should mark (meaning preserve or keep or heed), iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You.” Hallelujah!

To paraphrase, if human imperfections and failures would keep us from God, no one would have the right to stand before Him, but He’s not like that. He forgives us, and he doesn’t hold onto our sins. Saints this is something that we can hold onto, especially during those times when we find ourselves falling apart at the seams and help appears to be far away. We have to guard against our tendency to “unravel” when waiting seems especially wearisome. The psalmist checks his own heart here, saying, in essence, “Lord, even if I messed up and my circumstances are my fault, there is forgiveness in You, and I can still come before You!” What a blessing to know that we can always call upon Him, cling to Him, and trust Him, even while we’re still waiting for the light at the end of the tunnel.

Excerpt from “Beside Still Waters” now available on Amazon.

BARRY STAGNER