Topical Bible: Waiting: Those Who Engage in Wait Upon Him Only

◄ Waiting: Those Who Engage in Wait Upon Him Only ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, waiting on the Lord is a profound expression of faith and trust in God's timing and sovereignty. It is an active, expectant patience that reflects a deep reliance on God's promises and character. The concept of waiting on God is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating the spiritual discipline of trusting in God's perfect plan and timing.

Biblical Examples of Waiting

1. Abraham and Sarah: One of the most notable examples of waiting on God is found in 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 and initial doubts, they ultimately witnessed the fulfillment of God's 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 waiting on God amidst trials and tribulations. Sold into slavery by his brothers and later imprisoned unjustly, Joseph remained faithful and patient. His unwavering trust in God eventually led to his rise as a powerful leader in Egypt, fulfilling God's purpose for his life. Genesis 50:20 reflects Joseph's understanding of God's plan: "As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people."

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 challenges, including persecution by King Saul. David's psalms often express his reliance on God during these periods of waiting. Psalm 27:14 encourages believers, "Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!"

4. The Disciples: After Jesus' resurrection, the disciples were instructed to wait in Jerusalem for the coming of the Holy Spirit. This period of waiting was marked by prayer and anticipation, culminating in the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost. Acts 1:4 records Jesus' command: "And while they were gathered together, He commanded them: 'Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift the Father promised, which you have heard Me discuss.'"

Theological Significance of Waiting

Waiting on the Lord is not a passive activity but an active engagement in faith. It involves prayer, meditation on Scripture, and a steadfast hope in God's promises. Isaiah 40:31 beautifully captures the strength found in waiting: "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."

The act of waiting is a refining process, developing patience, perseverance, and a deeper relationship with God. It is a time of preparation, where believers are molded and equipped for future service and blessings. Lamentations 3:25 assures, "The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him."

Practical Application

For believers today, waiting on the Lord involves trusting in His timing and wisdom, even when circumstances seem uncertain. It requires surrendering personal agendas and desires, aligning one's heart with God's will. This spiritual discipline is cultivated through prayer, worship, and a commitment to living according to God's Word.

In a world that often values immediate results, waiting on God is a countercultural act of faith. It is a declaration that God's plans are higher and His timing perfect. As believers wait upon Him only, they are reminded of His faithfulness and the assurance that He works all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 62:5
My soul, wait you only on God; for my expectation is from him.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

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

Directions to Awakened Sinners.
... to employ himself in his service, waiting only the intimations ... whose near relation
should rather engage them to ... Those mountains shall be made low, and spread ...
/.../practical discourses on regeneration/discourse ix directions to awakened.htm

Nature of Covenanting.
... While waiting on any of the means of grace, elect ... obviously implies, according to
the state of those to whom it ... one or other of two things:"to engage to the ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter i nature of covenanting.htm

In Him: Like Him
... but remember also the vows that still engage you ... Those thirty years at Nazareth were
thirty wonderful years of ... There is a wonderful service in waiting till the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 29 1883/in him like him.htm

How to Make Use of Christ as the Truth, for Growth in Knowledge.
... offices, engagements, and promises, and waiting upon his breathing ... so shall it increase,
and engage him to give ... Which includeth those duties, 1. A serious and ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xiii how to make.htm

Soldier Priests
... and gentle, like the ideal of those knights of ... still, compassionate, tender in the
priest's waiting before God ... point in this description must now engage us for ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/soldier priests.htm

How Christ is to be Made Use Of, in Reference to the Killing and ...
... and to withstand all assaults, and never engage in a ... others, who have got more victory
over those evils under ... 2. By thy patient on-waiting, when thou art not ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter vi how christ is.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

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

Of the Navigation of King Agrippa to Rome, to Tiberius Caesar; and ...
... to give him her help, and to engage her husband ... show him a manifest signal which
of those children should ... Tiberius was not yet come, but staid waiting for his ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 of the navigation.htm