When the world around you seems wild, or the heart inside you feels weary, you can still count on God.

The psalmist said it like this:

“I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭130‬:‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This is one of fifteen psalms known as the Pilgrim Songs, or the Songs of Ascent (comprising Psalms 120-134)—sung by Jewish travelers making the trek to Jerusalem for annual festivals.

If you read the rest of the chapter, you’ll notice a heaviness, a tenderness, a tone of repentance. The psalmist cries out “from the depths”—wanting to be heard, begging for mercy, longing for the redemption of His people, all the while hoping in and waiting on the Lord.

The NLT translation says, “I am counting on the Lord…”

If you’ve ever wondered who—other than you—has had to hope in, wait on, and trust in the Lord, it’s everyone. It’s all of us. Every person in biblical history, from Noah to Moses, Rahab to Ruth, Peter to Paul… down to us, living in this modern day.

Those who lived before Jesus Christ were waiting on the Messiah to come and rescue a fallen world. Those who live after Jesus, like us, are waiting on Him to come back and redeem everything that’s been lost—once and for all.

The season of Advent reminds us that regardless of who you are, where you’re from, or what you’ve done, you can cry out and wait on God.

He is trustworthy, He is faithful, and He always makes good on His promises.

As you wait upon the Lord during this Advent season, know that He wants you to come close—so that He can be your strength so that He can give you comfort, and so that He can provide everything you need.