Topical Bible: Waiting: Those Who Engage in Will Inherit the Earth

◄ Waiting: Those Who Engage in Will Inherit the Earth ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of waiting, particularly in the context of faith and patience, is a recurring theme throughout the Bible. It is often associated with trust in God's timing and promises. The idea that those who wait will inherit the earth is rooted in biblical teachings that emphasize humility, patience, and reliance on God.

Biblical Foundation

The notion that the meek and those who wait upon the Lord will inherit the earth is prominently featured in the Beatitudes, where Jesus states, "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5). This promise is a reflection of Psalm 37:11, which says, "But the meek will inherit the land and delight in abundant prosperity" . The term "meek" in these passages is often understood to mean those who are humble, patient, and submissive to God's will.

Waiting on the Lord

Waiting on the Lord is a spiritual discipline that involves trusting in God's timing and purposes. Isaiah 40:31 highlights the strength and renewal that come from waiting on God: "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 underscores the idea that waiting is not passive but an active engagement in faith and hope.

Examples of Waiting in Scripture

Several biblical figures exemplify the virtue of waiting on God. Abraham waited for the promise of a son, demonstrating faith despite his advanced age (Genesis 21:1-3). Joseph endured years of slavery and imprisonment before God's plan for him unfolded, ultimately leading to his rise to power in Egypt (Genesis 37-50). These accounts illustrate that waiting often involves enduring trials and maintaining faith in God's promises.

The Inheritance of the Earth

The promise of inheriting the earth is both a present and future reality for believers. In the present, it signifies a life of peace and contentment found in trusting God. Psalm 37:9 states, "For the evildoers will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land" . This inheritance is also eschatological, pointing to the ultimate fulfillment of God's kingdom, where believers will share in the new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1-7).

Practical Implications

For Christians, waiting on the Lord involves cultivating patience, humility, and trust. It requires a surrender of personal agendas and a commitment to God's will. This waiting is not idle but involves active prayer, study of Scripture, and service to others. It is a demonstration of faith that God is sovereign and His timing is perfect.

In summary, the biblical principle that those who wait on the Lord will inherit the earth is a profound promise that encourages believers to live lives marked by patience, humility, and trust in God's eternal plan.

Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 37:9
For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait on the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Visions of Future Glory
... from among the nations of earth, he hears the waiting ones unite ... But it shall be
for those: ... In the earth made new, the redeemed will engage in the occupations ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 60 visions of future.htm

A Message of Warning and Entreaty
... that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the ... and self-esteem from going privately
to those whom they ... Satan and that they would have to engage in conflicts ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 29 a message of.htm

Covenanting Provided for in the Everlasting Covenant.
... completed; were all seasons that pointed out times of waiting upon the ... graces, they
showed that it is dutiful to engage in that and those other exercises ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter vi covenanting provided for.htm

Abraham's Offering up his Son Isaac
... if I may so speak) is there between God and those holy souls ... for there is nothing
like being kept waiting upon God ... (The word is doubled, to engage his attention ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/abrahams offering up his son.htm

From John Yeardley's Conversion to the Commencement of his Public ...
... weakness; but thou, who art always waiting to gather ... to fill up the honorable situations
of those worthies, when ... me, and seemed at times to engage his servants ...
/.../chapter i from john yeardleys.htm

The Mother of Xerxes.
... Darius, to propose that he should engage in some ... for the purpose of procuring
accomplished waiting-maids to ... Those, therefore, who were disposed to insist on ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter i the mother of.htm

To Pammachius against John of Jerusalem.
... lust of glory which leads me to engage in this ... who had been called together were
kept waiting until the ... And among those secret recesses of the belly the hand ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/to pammachius against john of.htm

Appeal to the Christian Women of the South
... grave, in humble faith and holy hope, waiting to hear ... Take those men, one by one,
and ask them in their ... ask them on Northern ground, where they will speak the ...
/.../an appeal to the christian women of the south/appeal to the christian women.htm

The First Epistle of St. Peter
... of Christians is more than mere waiting for the ... new Oriental fellowships, and both
now engage the attention of ... and undertakes the protection of those who live ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/the first epistle of st.htm

The Work of Jesus Christ as an Advocate,
... e.) To come to no ill conclusion in waiting, viz., that ... in a manner, lies at us to
do those wicked things ... but rather upon ourselves,-yet our advocate will do it ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the work of jesus christ.htm