Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, waiting is often associated with a posture of faith, patience, and expectation. It is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, where individuals and communities are called to wait on the Lord, trusting in His timing and promises. Those who engage in waiting are assured that they are heard by God, and their patience is often rewarded with divine intervention, guidance, and blessings.Old Testament Examples 1. Abraham and Sarah: One of the most notable examples of waiting in the Old Testament is the account of Abraham and Sarah. God promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations, yet he and Sarah waited many years for the birth of their son Isaac. Despite their advanced age, their faith in God's promise was eventually rewarded. Genesis 21:1-2 states, "Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised. So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him." 2. Joseph: Joseph's life is a testament to the virtue of waiting. Sold into slavery by his brothers and later imprisoned in Egypt, Joseph waited many years before seeing the fulfillment of his dreams. His patience and faithfulness were ultimately rewarded when he rose to become the second most powerful man in Egypt, saving many lives during a severe famine. Genesis 50:20 reflects Joseph's understanding of God's providence: "As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." 3. David: Anointed as king while still a young shepherd, David waited many years before ascending to the throne of Israel. During this time, he faced numerous trials, including persecution by King Saul. David's psalms often reflect his reliance on God during these periods of waiting. Psalm 40:1 captures this sentiment: "I waited patiently for the LORD; He inclined to me and heard my cry." New Testament Teachings 1. The Parable of the Persistent Widow: In Luke 18:1-8, Jesus tells the parable of the persistent widow to illustrate the importance of persistent prayer and waiting on God. The widow's relentless pursuit of justice from an unjust judge eventually leads to her request being granted. Jesus uses this account to encourage His followers to remain steadfast in prayer, assuring them that God, unlike the unjust judge, is attentive and responsive to the cries of His people. 2. The Disciples in the Upper Room: After Jesus' ascension, the disciples were instructed to wait in Jerusalem for the promised Holy Spirit. Acts 1:4 records Jesus' command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift My Father promised, which you have heard Me speak about." Their obedience and patience were rewarded on the day of Pentecost when they were filled with the Holy Spirit, empowering them for the mission ahead. 3. Paul's Teachings: The Apostle Paul frequently addresses the theme of waiting in his epistles. In Romans 8:25 , he writes, "But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently." Paul encourages believers to wait with hope and perseverance, trusting in God's ultimate plan and timing. Theological Implications Waiting on the Lord is an act of faith that acknowledges God's sovereignty and wisdom. It requires believers to trust in His timing and purposes, even when circumstances seem uncertain or challenging. Throughout Scripture, those who wait on God are assured that He hears their prayers and responds in His perfect timing. Isaiah 40:31 beautifully encapsulates this promise: "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." In summary, the biblical narrative consistently affirms that those who engage in waiting are heard by God. Their patience and faith are met with divine attention and fulfillment, demonstrating that waiting is not a passive state but an active expression of trust in the Almighty. Nave's Topical Index Psalm 40:1I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined to me, and heard my cry. Nave's Topical Index Library The Gospel in Samaria Religion and Amusement. Nature of Covenanting. It is a Matter of Doubt, Whether Believers under the Old Testament ... Messiah's Easy Yoke Visions of Future Glory The Holy Spirit and the World. Jesus and Abraham. Directions to Awakened Sinners. Praying Men at a Premium Resources What does it mean that hope deferred makes the heart sick (Proverbs 13:12)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is absurdism? | GotQuestions.org In the Song of Solomon, why is it said that we shouldn't awaken love until it pleases? | GotQuestions.org Waiting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Waiting for Guidance and Teaching Waiting for the Coming of Christ Waiting for the Consolation of Israel Waiting for the Fulfillment of his Promises Waiting for the Fulfillment of his Word Waiting for the Hope of Righteousness by Faith Waiting in the Way of his Judgments Waiting Upon God: As the Giver of all Temporal Blessings Waiting Upon God: As the God of Providence Waiting Upon God: As the God of Salvation Waiting Upon God: Exhortations and Encouragements To Waiting Upon God: For: Coming of Christ Waiting Upon God: For: Guidance and Teaching Waiting Upon God: For: Hope of Righteous by Faith Waiting Upon God: For: Protection Waiting Upon God: For: Salvation Waiting Upon God: For: The Consolation of Israel Waiting Upon God: For: The Fulfillment of his Promises Waiting Upon God: For: The Fulfillment of his Word Waiting Upon God: God Calls Us To Waiting Upon God: Predicted of the Gentiles Waiting Upon God: Saints Have Expectation From Waiting Upon God: Saints Plead, in Prayer Waiting Upon God: Saints Resolve On Waiting Upon God: should be all the Day Waiting Upon God: should be Continually Waiting Upon God: should be in the Way of his Judgments Waiting Upon God: should be Specially in Adversity Waiting Upon God: should Be with Earnest Desire Waiting Upon God: should Be with Full Confidence Waiting Upon God: should Be with Hope in his Word Waiting Upon God: should Be with Patience Waiting Upon God: should Be with Resignation Waiting Upon God: should Be with the Soul Waiting Upon God: The Patience of Saints often Tried In Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage In are Blessed Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage In are Heard Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage in Experience his Goodness Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage in Shall be Saved Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage in Shall Inherit the Earth Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage in Shall not be Ashamed Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage in Shall Receive the Glorious Things Prepared by God for Them Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage in Shall Rejoice in Salvation Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage in Shall Renew Their Strength Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage in Wait Upon Him Only Waiting: Especially in Adversity Waiting: Exhortations and Encouragements To Waiting: Predicted of the Gentiles Waiting: Saints Have Expectation From Waiting: Saints Plead, in Prayer Waiting: should be With the Soul Waiting: The Patience of Saints often Tested In Waiting: Those Who Engage In are Blessed Waiting: Those Who Engage In are Heard Waiting: Those Who Engage in Experience his Goodness Waiting: Those Who Engage in Wait Upon Him Only Waiting: Those Who Engage in Will be Saved Waiting: Those Who Engage in Will Inherit the Earth Waiting: Those Who Engage in Will not be Ashamed Waiting: Those Who Engage in Will Receive the Glorious Things Prepared by God for Them Waiting: Those Who Engage in Will Rejoice in Salvation Waiting: Those Who Engage in Will Renew Their Strength Waiting: Upon God: As the Giver of all Temporal Blessings Waiting: Upon God: As the God of Providence Waiting: Upon God: As the God of Salvation Related Terms |
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