Watching & Standing

All of the Old Testament saints and prophets had one supreme Goal, they were waiting for their Messiah as they lived their lives, through good times and bad. On Jacob’s deathbed, he said, “I have waited for Thy Salvation, O Lord.” (Genesis 49:18). Isaiah said, “I will wait upon the Lord, and I will look for Him” (Isaiah 8:17).

There are two words for “look” that are worth noting.  One word “Tsapah” means “to lean forward to peer off into the distance.” It means to watch with a purpose and is often translated as “watchman.” By keeping our eyes on Bible prophecy, and spending time in prayer, we are able to peer off into the distance and see that the return of Christ is getting closer.

The second word is “qavah” and means to “twist together, making a strong rope, a united expectation.” It means to gather all our emotional and mental resources into one strong, united goal. It expresses a strength of purpose in holy living, as we await and anticipate Christ’s return… “Lead me in Your truth and teach me: for You are the God of my salvation; on You do I wait (qavah) all the day” (Psalm 25:5).

The prophet Micah put both these words together and said, “Therefore I will look (tsapah) unto the Lord; I will wait (qavah) for the God of my salvation” (Micah 7:7).  The New Testament equivalent would be… “Watch, all of you, and stand fast in the faith. Be brave, be strong. Let all things be done with love” (1 Corinthians 16:13).

One day very soon, our faith will become sight.

(Devotional by Lisa Cataford)