Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me, I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God. (Psalm 69:1-3)

Many of you reading this are now or have been in deep waters. Errors at work, loss of job, tensions with spouse, bad choices by teenage children, long-term illness, chronic pain, unshakable depression, self-doubt, and weariness -- these things can conspire to mire us down. And when difficult situations go on and on and on, we tire of waiting for God to respond to our prayers.

Waiting is hard. We can tell by watching how people behave in grocery lines and on the highways that people do not like to wait. I guess it seems like a waste of time. But waiting for our God is not down-time, full of idleness. Waiting for God is expectant watching, full of hope and anticipation. It is an exercise in faith, saying (and meaning), no matter the circumstances, that we belong to God and that God will never leave us or forsake us, that divine love will somehow meet all our needs.

But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord, At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love, answer me. (Psalm 69:13)

The New Testament sees this psalm reflected in the life and death of Jesus. Jesus knew deep waters and eyes made dim by waiting. He knew false accusations, attack by those set on his destruction, the insults, shame and dishonor which this psalm describes. He waited long prayer-filled hours at Gethsemane and he waited long pain-filled hours on the cross. And he waited in the stillness of the tomb for the acceptable time for the love of God to act. It is the cross that communicates God's love to us, not circumstances.

If your circumstances have made your eyes grow dim with waiting for God, or you have come to deep waters, think about your Lord on the cross. Find strength in His waiting. Find hope in His love. And so continue to believe and to wait for your God.