Topical Bible: Waiting: Those Who Engage In are Blessed

◄ Waiting: Those Who Engage In are Blessed ►

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Waiting, in the biblical context, is often associated with patience, trust, and hope in God's timing and promises. Throughout Scripture, waiting is portrayed as a virtue that leads to divine blessing and spiritual growth. The act of waiting is not passive but involves active faith and reliance on God's faithfulness.

Old Testament Insights

The concept of waiting is deeply rooted in the Old Testament. One of the most notable examples is found in the life of Abraham. God promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations, yet he and his wife Sarah waited many years for the birth of their son Isaac. Despite the long wait, Abraham's faith did not waver, and he was ultimately blessed as the father of a great nation (Genesis 12:1-3, 21:1-3).

The Psalms frequently speak of waiting on the Lord as a source of strength and blessing. Psalm 27:14 encourages believers: "Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD." This verse highlights the connection between waiting and receiving strength and courage from God.

Isaiah also emphasizes the blessings of waiting. Isaiah 40:31 states, "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." Here, waiting is linked to renewal and empowerment, suggesting that those who wait on God will experience His sustaining power.

New Testament Perspectives

In the New Testament, waiting takes on a Christ-centered focus. Believers are called to wait for the return of Jesus Christ, a theme that underscores the hope and anticipation of the early church. In Romans 8:25 , Paul writes, "But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently." This patience in waiting is a testament to the believer's trust in God's promises.

The parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13 illustrates the importance of being prepared and vigilant while waiting for the bridegroom, symbolizing Christ. The wise virgins who were ready and waiting were welcomed into the wedding feast, highlighting the blessings of readiness and anticipation.

James 5:7-8 further encourages believers to be patient as they wait for the Lord's coming: "Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the soil, being patient until it receives the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near."

Spiritual Implications

Waiting on the Lord is an exercise in faith and trust. It requires believers to surrender their own timelines and desires, acknowledging God's sovereignty and perfect timing. This act of waiting is not without its challenges, but it is through these periods of waiting that believers often experience profound spiritual growth and intimacy with God.

The blessings of waiting are manifold. Those who wait on the Lord are promised renewed strength, divine guidance, and the fulfillment of God's promises. Waiting cultivates patience, perseverance, and a deeper reliance on God's provision and wisdom.

In summary, the biblical narrative consistently affirms that those who engage in waiting on the Lord are indeed blessed. Through the examples of faithful individuals and the teachings of Scripture, believers are encouraged to embrace waiting as a vital aspect of their spiritual journey, trusting that God's timing is always perfect and His promises are sure.

Nave's Topical Index

Isaiah 30:18
And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious to you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy on you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.
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Daniel 12:12
Blessed is he that waits, and comes to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.
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Library

God Seeks Intercessors
... with its wondrous calling and its sure promises, waiting to be ... must take the first
place, and that those who in it ... many of them who do so, do not engage in it ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/chapter xiv god seeks intercessors.htm

Nature of Covenanting.
... While waiting on any of the means of grace, elect souls ... When, therefore, those who
have been, for a period long or short, the people of God, engage in this ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter i nature of covenanting.htm

Covenanting Sanctioned by the Divine Example.
... intended that any are called to engage in acts ... He necessarily loves himself, and
he loves those with whom ... blessings wait, and attract while waiting,"He waits ...
/.../the ordinance of covenanting/chapter ix covenanting sanctioned by.htm

Conclusion.
... to think or speak of God, or engage in his ... asleep, with my lamp unfurnished; but
waiting and longing ... Let those who shall read these heavenly directions, not ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the saints everlasting rest/conclusion.htm

Directions to Awakened Sinners.
... the future to employ himself in his service, waiting only the ... own house; (Matthew
10:35, 36;) and those, whose near relation should rather engage them to ...
/.../practical discourses on regeneration/discourse ix directions to awakened.htm

John Chapter xix. 24-30.
... At that time, therefore, when about to engage in divine ... also wrought what was good
through those who were ... all for whose completion He was waiting, "He bowed ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate cxix john chapter xix.htm

'Other Sheep'
... simple souls, without as well as within the chosen people, waiting for the ... it as
an extra, a kind of work of supererogation, which those may engage in who ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/other sheep.htm

Who is on the Lord's Side? Exodus 32:26.
... his requirements, in performing religious duties, but do not engage in those things
because ... a very comfortable hope all the while, patiently waiting for a ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/who is on the lords 2.htm

A More Particular view of the Several Branches of the Christian ...
... will carry it against all, and keep you waiting quietly for ... It will engage you to
guard your words, lest you provoke and exasperate those you should ...
/.../the rise and progress of religion in the soul/chapter xiv a more particular.htm

The Angel's Message and Song
... without any thing that might previously engage their attention ... that time of degeneracy,
were waiting and longing ... of self-importance, and feed those tempers that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon x the angels message.htm