Topical Bible: Waiting: Those Who Engage in Experience his Goodness

◄ Waiting: Those Who Engage in Experience his Goodness ►

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Waiting, in the biblical context, is often associated with a posture of faith, patience, and trust in God's timing and promises. Throughout Scripture, waiting is not merely a passive state but an active engagement in faith, characterized by hope and expectation of God's goodness and faithfulness.

Biblical Examples of Waiting

1. Abraham and Sarah: One of the most profound examples of waiting is found in the lives 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 and initial doubts, they experienced God's goodness as He fulfilled His promise. 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 on God. Sold into slavery by his brothers and later imprisoned unjustly, Joseph waited many years before seeing the fulfillment of God's plan for his life. His patience and faithfulness were rewarded when he rose to become the second most powerful man in Egypt, ultimately saving his family from famine. Genesis 50:20 reflects Joseph's understanding of God's goodness: "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 heart of waiting and trust in God's deliverance. Psalm 27:14 encourages believers, "Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!"

Theological Insights on Waiting

Waiting on the Lord is a recurring theme in Scripture, emphasizing the believer's reliance on God's perfect timing and sovereignty. Isaiah 40:31 promises, "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." This verse highlights the spiritual renewal and strength that come from trusting in God during periods of waiting.

The act of waiting is often accompanied by prayer, reflection, and a deepening relationship with God. It is a time when believers are called to trust in God's character and promises, even when circumstances seem uncertain. Lamentations 3:25 assures, "The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him."

Practical Application for Believers

For contemporary believers, waiting on the Lord involves cultivating a heart of patience and trust. It requires surrendering personal timelines and desires to God's will, acknowledging that His plans are higher and better. In times of waiting, believers are encouraged to remain steadfast in prayer, immerse themselves in Scripture, and seek the counsel of the Holy Spirit.

Waiting is not without its challenges, but it is a vital aspect of the Christian journey. It is during these times that believers often experience profound growth and a deeper understanding of God's goodness and faithfulness. As Romans 8:28 reminds us, "And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose."

In summary, waiting on the Lord is a dynamic and faith-filled process that allows believers to experience the fullness of God's goodness and the fulfillment of His promises. Through the examples of biblical figures and the teachings of Scripture, Christians are encouraged to embrace waiting as an opportunity to grow in faith and witness the unfolding of God's perfect plan.

Nave's Topical Index

Lamentations 3:25
The LORD is good to them that wait for him, to the soul that seeks him.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Messiah's Easy Yoke
... and gentleness, which are necessary to engage the attention ... them on, step by step,
and waiting for the proper season of unfolding to them, those more difficult ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon xv messiahs easy yoke.htm

The Resurrection of Christ; his Last Interview with his Disciples ...
... and entertainment to every reader, they particularly engage the attention ... his heart,
to behold around him those for whom ... To them alone who are waiting for him ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture i the resurrection of.htm

The Angel's Message and Song
... without any thing that might previously engage their attention ... that they were longing
and waiting for Him ... in assuming our nature under those circumstances, which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon x the angels message.htm

On the Difficulties and Duties of the Christian Life.
... sure to find his intent upon us, waiting as it ... himself, to testify his affection
and engage theirs. ... ought also frequently to reflect on those particular tokens ...
/.../scougal/the life of god in the soul of man/part iii on the difficulties.htm

The Conversion of Cornelius.
... this situation, any good man, who was waiting for his ... Apostles, that he might, with
full confidence, engage in his ... Shall the sign be denied to those, to whom ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xiii the conversion of.htm

The Intercession of Christ
... Court above, and your Advocate is waiting to introduce ... mouths with such arguments
as may engage the attention ... as King, effectually to manage for those in whose ...
/.../newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xlvii the intercession of.htm

From John Yeardley's Conversion to the Commencement of his Public ...
... weakness; but thou, who art always waiting to gather ... that even a slight knowledge
of those ancient customs ... have some object in pursuit to engage its attention ...
/.../chapter i from john yeardleys.htm

The First Delegated General Conference of 1812
... New York conference was authorized to engage a historian ... praise, searching the
Scriptures, meditation, and waiting on God ... and an equal number of those who are ...
/.../chapter 1 the first delegated.htm

Religion and Amusement.
... amusement, condemning it, and those who engage in it ... and Christian thought, so far
from waiting for the ... Let us see what those terrible words "billiards" and ...
/.../vincent/amusement a force in christian training/religion and amusement.htm

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners Or, a Brief Relation of ...
... saw in that condition, did still so engage my heart ... of years before I was born; for
those who had ... way perused, I found my condition in his experience so largely ...
/.../bunyan/grace abounding to the chief of sinners/grace abounding to the chief.htm