Topical Bible: Waiting with Full Confidence

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Definition and Concept:
Waiting with full confidence is a spiritual discipline characterized by a steadfast trust in God's timing and promises. It involves a patient and hopeful anticipation of God's intervention, guidance, or fulfillment of His word, without succumbing to doubt or impatience. This concept is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, where believers are often called to wait on the Lord with assurance and faith.

Biblical Foundation:
The Bible frequently addresses the theme of waiting, emphasizing the importance of trusting in God's perfect timing. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word "qavah" is often used, which conveys a sense of hope and expectation. Similarly, the New Testament Greek word "apekdechomai" reflects an eager anticipation.

Key Scriptures:

1. Psalm 27:14 · "Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." This verse encourages believers to remain strong and courageous while waiting for God's deliverance and guidance.

2. Isaiah 40:31 · "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 passage highlights the renewal and strength that come from waiting on the Lord, promising divine empowerment and endurance.

3. Lamentations 3:25-26 · "The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD." Here, waiting is associated with seeking God and experiencing His goodness and salvation.

4. Romans 8:25 · "But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." The Apostle Paul speaks to the Christian hope that is unseen, requiring patient waiting as an expression of faith.

5. James 5:7-8 · "Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand." This passage uses the metaphor of a farmer to illustrate the patience required in waiting for the Lord's return.

Examples from Scripture:

· Abraham and Sarah: In Genesis 15-21, Abraham and Sarah waited many years for the fulfillment of God's promise of a son. Despite their initial doubts, their account exemplifies the faithfulness of God and the importance of trusting His timing.

· Joseph: In Genesis 37-50, Joseph's life is a testament to waiting with confidence. Despite being sold into slavery and unjustly imprisoned, Joseph remained faithful, ultimately witnessing God's plan unfold as he rose to power in Egypt.

· David: Anointed as king in his youth, David waited many years before ascending to the throne. Throughout the Psalms, David often expresses his trust in God's timing, as seen in Psalm 40:1, "I waited patiently for the LORD; He inclined to me and heard my cry."

Theological Implications:
Waiting with full confidence is an expression of faith and trust in God's sovereignty and goodness. It acknowledges that God's ways and thoughts are higher than human understanding (Isaiah 55:8-9). This discipline cultivates spiritual maturity, as believers learn to rely on God's promises rather than their own understanding or timing.

Practical Application:
Believers are encouraged to cultivate a heart of patience and trust through prayer, meditation on Scripture, and fellowship with other believers. Engaging in these practices helps to strengthen faith and maintain hope during periods of waiting. Additionally, reflecting on God's past faithfulness can provide reassurance and encouragement.

Conclusion:
While waiting can be challenging, it is an integral part of the Christian journey. By waiting with full confidence, believers demonstrate their trust in God's perfect plan and timing, ultimately growing in faith and character.

Nave's Topical Index

Micah 7:7
Therefore I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Waiting and Singing
... discerned is the only object which our confidence can grasp ... we have to seek for in
our waiting on God ... notes of half-awakened birds prelude the full chorus that ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/waiting and singing.htm

Waiting Only Upon God
... His full hand supplies their need ... finer exhibition of the power of religion than
the confidence of a ... that is just the reason why you are always waiting upon her ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/waiting only upon god.htm

Chapter Iii Precious Answers to Prayer
... are 31 concerning whom there is full confidence as to ... is likewise a goodly measure
of confidence, though not ... are encouraged by it to further waiting upon God. ...
/.../muller/answers to prayer/chapter iii precious answers to.htm

Twenty-Seventh Lesson. Father, I Will;'
... to be borne upward and presented before the Father;"we shall have the full confidence
that we ... and to take, and to possess all that our God is waiting to give ...
/.../with christ in the school of prayer/twenty-seventh lesson father i will.htm

Acts x. 23, 24
... "And Cornelius was waiting for them, and ... Of course (his "near" friends), those in
whom he had ever full confidence; fearing, with such an interest at stake, to ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxiii acts x 23.htm

An Eloquent Catalogue
... back in full confidence of His appearance there. It is very like Peter that he should
have been the one to suggest filling an hour of the waiting time with ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture st john chaps xv to xxi/an eloquent catalogue.htm

A Full Reward.
... when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not ... and security and certainty
come into the waiting soul. ... The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a ribband of blue/a full reward.htm

"Because of his Importunity. "
... I rose from my knees this morning in full confidence, not only that God could, but ...
blessing which the soul obtains by trusting in God, and by waiting patiently ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/muller/answers to prayer/because of his importunity.htm

Waiting on the Lord
... quietly wait." Do not these words mean confidence and soul ... of the Canaanites had
not yet come to the full. ... Have you learned this lesson of waiting upon the Lord ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk twenty-two waiting on the.htm

'Thy Free Spirit'
... Paul knew full well that his emancipation was not ... probably, after this triumphant
expression of confidence that he ... in the fear of the Lord, by 'waiting for the ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/thy free spirit.htm