Wait for the Lord – Br. Luke Ditewig

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Br. Luke Ditewig

Psalm 130

Out of the depths, the Psalmist and we cry, from the deep, unseen, chaos, from the pit, feeling overwhelmed by grief, guilt, and death. “Out of the depths have I called to you, O Lord. … hear my voice.” Have mercy.

“If you, Lord, were to note what is done amiss,” were to see and respond that is done and left undone, no one could stand. Our sin matters, and God forgives. Both truths prompt reverent fearful awe of God.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits. In God’s word is my hope. I wait with expectation like those who watch through the night wait for the morning. Yes, I wait like that. Not just for the night shift to end but with trust that light will break through the darkness.

Wait in the dark trusting light will come. Wait in hope. Live in hope. Let hope shape you, be “woven in into the texture of [your] daily life.”[i]

Don’t keep hope to yourself. The Psalmist turns from self “my soul waits” to community “O, Israel, wait.” Wait with others, and let them wait with you. Remember the great cloud of witnesses who wait, those from long before and those we love but see no longer.

This Psalm is often used in the Burial of the Dead. We Brothers say it at the end of times of group recreation to remember our departed brethren, one way hope is “woven in into the texture of our daily life.”

Out of the depths of your life, those around us, and the people of Ukraine, cry out. Trust God hears in the deep, knows what is amiss, forgives and will redeem. Live in hope. Wait for the Lord.

[i] SSJE Rule of Life, Chapter 49: The Hope of Glory