Topical Bible: Waiting: Those Who Engage in Will not be Ashamed

◄ Waiting: Those Who Engage in Will not be Ashamed ►

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Waiting, in the biblical context, is often associated with patience, trust, and hope in God's timing and promises. The act of waiting is not passive but involves active faith and reliance on God's faithfulness. Throughout Scripture, those who wait on the Lord are assured that they will not be put to shame, highlighting the virtue and reward of trusting in God's perfect plan.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of waiting on the Lord is deeply rooted in the Old Testament. 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." This verse emphasizes the renewal and strength that come from waiting on God, promising that those who do so will not be disappointed.

Psalm 25:3 further reinforces this idea: "Surely none who wait for You will be put to shame; but those who are faithless without cause will be disgraced." Here, the psalmist contrasts the fate of those who wait on the Lord with those who act faithlessly, underscoring the honor and vindication that come from trusting in God.

Examples of Waiting in Scripture

1. Abraham and Sarah: Abraham and Sarah's account is a profound example of waiting on God's promise. Despite their old age, they waited for the fulfillment of God's promise of a son. Hebrews 6:15 notes, "And so Abraham, after waiting patiently, obtained the promise." Their account illustrates that waiting on God often involves enduring faith and patience.

2. Joseph: Joseph's life is marked by periods of waiting, from his time in slavery to his unjust imprisonment. Despite these trials, Joseph remained faithful, and in God's perfect timing, he was elevated to a position of power in Egypt. His account, found in Genesis, demonstrates that waiting on God can lead to unexpected and extraordinary outcomes.

3. David: Anointed as king in his youth, David waited many years before ascending to the throne. During this time, he faced numerous challenges, including persecution by King Saul. In Psalm 27:14 , David writes, "Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!" His life exemplifies the strength and courage required to wait on God's timing.

Theological Implications

Waiting on the Lord is an expression of faith and trust in His sovereignty and goodness. It acknowledges that God's timing is perfect and His plans are higher than human understanding. Romans 8:25 states, "But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently." This verse highlights the relationship between hope and waiting, suggesting that waiting is an integral part of the Christian journey.

Practical Application

For believers, waiting on the Lord involves prayer, meditation on Scripture, and a steadfast commitment to God's will. It requires surrendering personal timelines and desires to God's greater plan. In a world that often values immediacy, the biblical call to wait challenges Christians to cultivate patience and trust in God's promises.

Encouragement for Believers

The assurance that those who wait on the Lord will not be ashamed provides comfort and encouragement. Isaiah 49:23 declares, "Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in Me will never be put to shame." This promise serves as a reminder that God honors those who faithfully wait for Him, and their hope will ultimately be fulfilled.

Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 25:3
Yes, let none that wait on you be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.
Nave's Topical Index

Isaiah 49:23
And kings shall be your nursing fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers: they shall bow down to you with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of your feet; and you shall know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Covenanting Sanctioned by the Divine Example.
... necessarily loves himself, and he loves those with whom ... excellence,"blessings wait,
and attract while waiting,"He waits ... God, am holy," is to engage in it ...
/.../the ordinance of covenanting/chapter ix covenanting sanctioned by.htm

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

The Daily Walk with Others (I. ).
... ethical term which lay ready and waiting to be ... Do they allow themselves to engage
in trivial foolish ... the absent, about those over them, about those who differ ...
/.../moule/to my younger brethren/chapter iv the daily walk.htm

Conditions of Being Saved
... Will you engage to meet these conditions? ... be noticed that Paul gave the jailer just
those directions which ... seems to have made no delay at all, waiting for no ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/x conditions of being saved.htm

Curiosity a Temptation to Sin.
... by this chief and exciting temptation, those temptations of ... turn our backs upon it,
without waiting to think and reason about it; we shall engage our mind in ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon v curiosity a temptation.htm

On the Difficulties and Duties of the Christian Life.
... sure to find his intent upon us, waiting as it ... of himself, to testify his affection
and engage theirs. ... holiness, and the unspeakable felicity of those that are ...
/.../scougal/the life of god in the soul of man/part iii on the difficulties.htm

In Death and after Death
... of His shame in Caiaphas' palace, were also waiting for the ... days, of which the first
three were those of "weeping ... to put on shoes, to study, or to engage in any ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 10 in death and.htm

Matt. Ix. 27-30.
... He had entered on this, so far from waiting for the ... own virtue; that they might more
easily engage in the ... Peter, and that of John, and after those had pointed ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xxxii matt ix 27-30.htm

Paul in Jerusalem.
... To engage in a minute detail of the places mentioned in ... perhaps, prove a coward,
if he were waiting the slow ... law to be observed for some time, by those who had ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxv paul in jerusalem.htm

Jewish views on Trade, Tradesmen, and Trades' Guilds
... him both a hereafter and the hopeful waiting for it ... and do not press on the notice
of those in power ... law, if accompanied by worldly occupation: to engage in them ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 11 jewish views on.htm