Topical Bible: Waiting with Earnest Desire

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Waiting with earnest desire is a theme that resonates deeply throughout the Scriptures, reflecting a posture of hopeful anticipation and trust in God's promises. This concept is woven into the fabric of biblical narratives, teachings, and prophecies, illustrating the faith and patience required of believers as they await the fulfillment of God's word.

Old Testament Foundations

The Old Testament provides numerous examples of waiting with earnest desire. The patriarch Abraham is a quintessential figure in this regard. God promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations, yet he and his wife Sarah waited many years for the birth of their son Isaac. This period of waiting was marked by both faith and moments of doubt, yet ultimately, Abraham's trust in God's promise was rewarded. As it is written, "And Abraham believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness" (Genesis 15:6).

The Psalms frequently express the theme of waiting on the Lord with earnest desire. Psalm 27:14 encourages believers, "Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!" . This verse underscores the strength and courage required to wait on God's timing, emphasizing that such waiting is not passive but active and filled with hope.

Prophetic Anticipation

The prophets also spoke of waiting with earnest desire, particularly in relation to the coming of the Messiah. Isaiah prophesied about the coming of a Savior, and the people of Israel were called to wait expectantly for the fulfillment of these prophecies. Isaiah 40:31 offers a promise to those who wait: "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 renewal and strength that come from waiting on the Lord.

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, the theme of waiting with earnest desire is fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. Simeon, a devout man in Jerusalem, exemplifies this waiting. He had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before seeing the Messiah. When he finally beheld Jesus, he declared, "Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen Your salvation" (Luke 2:29-30). Simeon's account illustrates the fulfillment of God's promises to those who wait with earnest desire.

The Apostle Paul also speaks to this theme, particularly in his letters to the early church. In Romans 8:23-25, Paul writes, "Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently" . Here, Paul connects waiting with hope and salvation, encouraging believers to remain steadfast in their anticipation of God's ultimate redemption.

Eschatological Hope

The theme of waiting with earnest desire extends to eschatological hope, as believers anticipate the second coming of Christ. The book of Revelation speaks to this future hope, urging believers to remain faithful and watchful. Revelation 22:20 records the words of Jesus, "He who testifies to these things says, 'Yes, I am coming soon.' Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!" . This anticipation of Christ's return is a central aspect of Christian hope, calling believers to live in a state of readiness and expectation.

Throughout the Bible, waiting with earnest desire is portrayed as an integral part of the life of faith. It requires trust in God's timing, patience in the face of uncertainty, and hope in the fulfillment of His promises. This theme encourages believers to remain steadfast, knowing that God's purposes will ultimately be accomplished.

Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 130:6
My soul waits for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Waiting on the Lord
... trouble is they do not get in earnest enough or ... Waiting on the Lord is not needful
in this class ... Unfulfilled desire patiently and submissively met is often a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk twenty-two waiting on the.htm

Of the Conversion, Life, Miracles, and Death of the Holy Brother ...
... Santo Stefano, he found a great multitude of men and women waiting to hear a ... Philip
seeing the great innocence of the child, and his earnest desire to serve God ...
/.../the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter xlv of the conversion.htm

Prayer and Obedience
... to pray, then you must have an earnest desire to learn ... God, you must first have a
consuming desire to obey ... There is another step and stage, waiting to be taken ...
/.../bounds/the necessity of prayer/ix prayer and obedience.htm

The Heart's Desire Given to Help Mission Work in China.
... that for months it had been my earnest desire to do ... already taken steps to carry
out this desire, when this ... is His work, and we honour Him, by waiting upon and ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/muller/answers to prayer/the hearts desire given to.htm

Chapter Iii Precious Answers to Prayer
... As such we look upon it, and are encouraged by it to further waiting upon God ... was
now at hand, and, in winding up the accounts, it was my earnest desire, to do ...
/.../muller/answers to prayer/chapter iii precious answers to.htm

The Lives of Messrs. Robert Trails.
... We are waiting from day to day what men will do with us; at best we ... his sermons on
the throne of grace and the Lord's prayer, at the earnest desire of those ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the lives of messrs robert.htm

"I am John Wesley"
... The churchwardens and constables and all the heads of the parish are waiting for
you ... I was informed there were many here also who had an earnest desire to hear ...
//christianbookshelf.org/wesley/the journal of john wesley/i am john wesley.htm

Letter Lxxxix. To Meletius, Bishop of Antioch.
... He Himself is witness of the earnest desire which I have to see your face, and ... so
good as to dispatch him directly after Easter, because of his waiting for the ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter lxxxix to meletius bishop.htm

The Desire of the Soul in Spiritual Darkness
... He knows that delay will fan the desire, and that if he keeps you waiting it will
not ... cry more bitterly and your heart will be more in earnest after him. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the desire of the soul.htm

How Christ is to be Made Use Of, as the Way, for Sanctification in ...
... and yet retain with love and desire, some other ... Christianity apparent, to be as diligent,
earnest and serious ... they should stand always ready, waiting for the ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter v how christ is.htm