Topical Bible: Waiting: Especially in Adversity

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Waiting, particularly in times of adversity, is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, reflecting a deep spiritual discipline and trust in God's timing and sovereignty. The act of waiting is not passive but involves active faith, patience, and hope in God's promises and character.

Old Testament Insights

The Hebrew word for waiting, "qavah," often implies a sense of hope and expectation. In the Old Testament, waiting is frequently associated with trusting in God's deliverance and timing. One of the most poignant examples is found in the life of Job, who, despite immense suffering and loss, declares, "Though He slay me, I will hope in Him" (Job 13:15). Job's steadfastness in adversity exemplifies the virtue of waiting on God with unwavering faith.

The Psalms are replete with exhortations to wait on the Lord. Psalm 27:14 encourages believers, "Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!" . This verse highlights the strength and courage required to wait, especially when circumstances are challenging. Similarly, Psalm 37:7 advises, "Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men prosper in their ways, when they carry out wicked schemes" . Here, waiting is contrasted with anxiety and envy, urging believers to trust in God's justice and timing.

Isaiah also speaks to the power of waiting, promising renewal and strength to those who wait on the Lord: "But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31). This passage reassures believers that waiting on God results in spiritual vitality and endurance.

New Testament Perspectives

In the New Testament, waiting takes on a Christocentric focus, emphasizing the anticipation of Christ's return and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The Apostle Paul, writing to the Romans, speaks of the hope that accompanies waiting: "But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently" (Romans 8:25). This patience is rooted in the assurance of God's promises and the future glory that awaits believers.

James, the brother of Jesus, offers practical wisdom for waiting in adversity, likening it to the patience of a farmer: "Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the soil, being patient about it, until it receives the early and late rains" (James 5:7). This analogy underscores the necessity of patience and trust in God's timing, even when the outcome is not immediately visible.

The Apostle Peter also addresses the theme of waiting, encouraging believers to view their trials as opportunities for growth and refinement: "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials" (1 Peter 1:6). Peter's words remind Christians that waiting in adversity is not without purpose, as it refines faith and prepares believers for eternal glory.

Theological Reflections

From a theological standpoint, waiting in adversity is an exercise in faith and trust in God's providence. It requires believers to relinquish control and submit to God's will, trusting that His plans are for their ultimate good (Romans 8:28). This waiting is not passive resignation but an active engagement with God's promises, characterized by prayer, worship, and obedience.

The biblical narrative consistently portrays waiting as a transformative process, shaping the character and faith of God's people. It is through waiting that believers learn to rely on God's strength, develop perseverance, and cultivate a deeper relationship with Him. As such, waiting in adversity becomes a profound expression of faith, hope, and love, reflecting the believer's trust in the unfailing goodness and faithfulness of God.

Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 59:1-9
Deliver me from my enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.
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Isaiah 8:17
And I will wait on the LORD, that hides his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.
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Library

A visit to the Harvest Field
... ever I had digged the first trench; I reckoned upon waiting, and now ... wise that halts
a little, and ponders his ways, especially when adversity crosses his ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/a visit to the harvest.htm

"What Doest Thou Here?"
... While many are waiting to have every obstacle removed ... care, His love, His power,
are especially manifest in ... Heaven will not fail them in their day of adversity. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 13 what doest thou.htm

Lessons.
... beneath the earth the snowdrop lies, Waiting the spring's ... to prove Himself now a
"Brother born for adversity?". ... More especially in our seasons of trouble, (when ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/iii lessons.htm

The Thessalonian Letters
... the midst of trial and adversity, had remained ... Especially solemn is the apostle's
statement regarding those ... their duties or resign themselves to idle waiting. ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 25 the thessalonian letters.htm

The Panoply of God
... the 'evil day' is that which especially threatens moral ... of prosperity as by the
midwinter of adversity, just as ... But waiting on God to receive our weapons from ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the panoply of god.htm

Treatise vii. On the Mortality.
... in misfortune they complain and murmur, while adversity does not ... with a glad mind
to the Lord, especially since we ... number of those dear to us are waiting for us ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise vii on the mortality.htm

Abram's Horror of Great Darkness.
... without a sensible mixture of adversity; or without ... of the spirit, groan within
themselves, waiting for"the ... through which lies their way"especially in the ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon v abrams horror of.htm

Go Back? Never!
... on the banks of the last river, waiting for the ... he wished him a long way off, especially
if some ... degradation and call him "brother born for adversity." He is ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/go back never.htm

Daily Bread
... women who are battling with poverty and adversity and all ... for one bold stroke, a
year of waiting and watching ... This is especially true of our New England, who ...
//christianbookshelf.org/merriam/the chief end of man/v daily bread.htm

The Barley Field on Fire
... these, another set of messengers will be waiting at the ... tree." The cross may be very
heavy, especially while it ... Sweet are the uses of adversity, and sweet are ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/the barley field on fire.htm