More Than Watchmen

Waiting is hard. The unknown is scary. And there are times we’re called to step out and go where we haven’t gone before. There are also times we’re called to just sit back and wait to see what will happen. And the truth is, I’m not sure if there is anything more nerve racking than the process of waiting. It causes stress, anxiety, frustration, and even heartbreak at times. “We must keep this thing going.” If we are in God’s order the thing will go; if we are not in His order, it won’t (Oswald Chambers, Conformed to His Image). The truth of it all is, it comes down to where we put our trust while we sit in a season of waiting.

When you look at the scope of who we put our faith in, hasn’t he already proved His faithfulness to those who love Him. After seventy years of exile, the Israelites were given their release and able to return to Jerusalem only to find it in ruins. So much waiting seemingly all for nothing. Until the prophet Haggai speaks to the people on behalf of the Lord. Haggai says, ‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the Lord Almighty (Haggai 2:9 NIV). Essentially what God is saying through the prophet here is God saying trust my timing. It may feel like a loss right now. You may be tired and frustrated from the waiting. You’ve been hurting, but what I have prepared for you is greater than what you lost.

And so He calls us to wait. For a time. For a season. Until He moves. The Good News of the day is that Our creator is the same and never changes despite the names given Him by people here and in all parts of the world. Even if we gave Him no name at all, He would still be there, within us, waiting to give us good on this earth (George Washington Carver). The promises of God will prevail over the season we are in. He reigns today as He did over those who returned from exile. And so He calls us to wait. Not for a sign. Not for a regime change. Not even for our favorite team to win. He calls us to wait on Him. For Him to move in His time. As the psalmist has said 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 (Psalm 130:5-6 NIV).

His promises still stand and great is His faithfulness. Trust in His timing. What He has promised and prepared for you is greater than whatever has been lost. More than watchmen wait for the coming dawn and the end of danger, Wait for the Lord to move! He’s on the move today!