Psalm 130

Lenten Offering

Welcome to Week 6 of WINE’s Lenten Offering—our offering to the Lord of time and listening hearts.

There’s something really compelling about Psalm 130, which we’re reading this week. It’s a short and powerful psalm that’s easy to relate to. Who doesn’t know what it’s like to need an answer from someone — and no one else will do?

Previously, when I’ve read this psalm, I’ve focused on the “depths” the psalmist is calling from. Today I read it like this:

Out of the depths I cry to THEE, O Lord!  LORD, hear my voice! … I wait for THE LORD … in HIS word I hope …

There’s a reason we take our failings to GOD: “with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plenteous redemption” (vs 7).

The author of Psalm 130 waits, and waits, and waits for the Lord’s help to come. He starts out in a panic, but in waiting, he gains focus and hope. We can find the same strength by pouring our hearts into the psalm and praying it for ourselves.

It reminds me of Isaiah 40:31:

… they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint.

As you continue to wait upon the Lord, I pray he will renew your strength for the last leg of our Lenten journey.

—Sarah Christmyer

 

Questions to Ponder:

As a community of women, sharing a similar journey this Lent, we invite you to share your experiences and insights with each other on the blog (below) after you complete your prayer with Psalm 130. Here are some questions, based on the journaling questions in Create in Me a Clean Heart.

  1. [READ] What struck you about Psalm 130? Did any words or phrases catch your eye? What did you notice about them?
  2. [REFLECT] What did Psalm 130 say to you? Where did your heart draw you? After pondering that passage—what does it mean to you?
  3. [RESPOND and REST] Were you able to move into a conversation with the Lord? The specific things that He says to our hearts, and our response, are often private. Would you like to share anything about the experience of hearing from Him, or entering into that conversation, or resting in his presence?