Definition and Importance
Waiting with patience is a recurring theme in the Bible, emphasizing the virtue of enduring trials and delays with a steadfast and hopeful spirit. It is a spiritual discipline that reflects trust in God's timing and sovereignty. Patience is often associated with faith, as believers are called to wait on the Lord with confidence that His plans are perfect and His timing is impeccable.

Biblical Examples
The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals who exemplified waiting with patience. One of the most notable is Abraham, who waited many years for the fulfillment of God's promise to give him a son. Hebrews 6:15 states, "And so Abraham, after waiting patiently, obtained the promise." His account illustrates the reward of patient faith.

Another example is Job, who endured immense suffering and loss yet remained patient and faithful. James 5:11 highlights his perseverance: "Behold, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen the outcome from the Lord. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy."

Teachings of Jesus
Jesus Christ taught about the importance of patience in the life of a believer. In the parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8), Jesus encourages His followers to pray continually and not lose heart, demonstrating the need for patience in prayer and faith. Additionally, in Luke 21:19 , Jesus advises, "By your patient endurance, you will gain your souls," underscoring the eternal significance of patience.

Apostolic Instructions
The apostles also emphasized the necessity of patience. Paul, in his letter to the Romans, writes about the hope and patience that come from the Holy Spirit: "But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently" (Romans 8:25). This passage highlights the connection between hope and patience, encouraging believers to trust in God's promises.

In his epistle, James advises believers to be patient in suffering, using the example of farmers who wait for the precious fruit of the earth: "Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the soil, being patient until it receives the early and late rains" (James 5:7).

The Role of the Holy Spirit
Patience is listed as a fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22 : "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness." This indicates that patience is not merely a human effort but a divine attribute cultivated in believers through the Holy Spirit's work. The Spirit empowers Christians to endure trials and delays with grace and steadfastness.

Practical Application
Believers are encouraged to cultivate patience in their daily lives, trusting in God's perfect timing and purposes. This involves surrendering personal timelines and desires to God's will, maintaining a hopeful and prayerful attitude, and seeking strength from the Holy Spirit. Patience is exercised in various aspects of life, including relationships, personal growth, and spiritual maturity.

Conclusion
While waiting with patience can be challenging, it is a vital aspect of the Christian faith. It reflects a deep trust in God's character and His promises, leading to spiritual growth and a closer relationship with Him. Through biblical examples, teachings of Jesus, and apostolic instructions, believers are equipped to embrace patience as a transformative virtue.Psalm 37:7
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass.
Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 40:1
I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined to me, and heard my cry.
Nave's Topical Index

3115. makrothumia -- patience, long-suffering
... 3117 , "long" and 2372 , "passion, anger") -- properly, long-passion, ie waiting
sufficient time ... 3115 ("divinely-regulated patience") is used of (see 1 Pet 3:20 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3115.htm - 8k

5281. hupomone -- a remaining behind, a patient enduring
... From hupomeno; cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy -- enduring, patience,
patient continuance (waiting). see GREEK hupomeno. (upomone) -- 13 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5281.htm - 7k

4327. prosdechomai -- to receive to oneself
... 1), looking (3), receive (2), receives (1), waiting (5), waiting anxiously (1 ... endurance);
by implication, to await (with confidence or patience) -- accept, allow ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4327.htm - 8k

Kingdom and Patience
... Here is companionship in patient waiting. For that is the meaning of the word rendered
"patience," [34] and it always has the thought of endurance underlying it ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/kingdom and patience.htm

The Waiting Christ.
... Then His waiting as well as His patience will be ended and He will receive
His kingdom and be crowned Lord of lords and King of kings. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the lord of glory/the waiting christ.htm

Waiting and Singing
... delivering might, helping her, and that right early. So waiting means watchfulness
and patience, both of which have their roots in trust. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/waiting and singing.htm

The Patience of Christ.
... submission under God, patient waiting on Him, utter absence of all haste, perfect
calmness of soul and every other characteristic of perfect patience, we can ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the lord of glory/the patience of christ.htm

'Tis Patience must Support You. --Heb. x. 35-37.
... Long, long, can patience waiting The weary time beguile, On God's word
meditating Get saving good the while. With earnest fervent ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/tis patience must support you heb.htm

Elucidations.
... the fruits of a varied erudition, aims only to be practically useful, this pious
scholar remarks: "To Faith must be added Patience, the patient waiting for God ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/of patience/elucidations.htm

Illness and Patience of the Saint. The Story of a Priest whom She ...
... patience very much; I prayed to God that He would give me a like patience; and then ...
5. When the time had come for which I was waiting in the place I spoke of ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/chapter v illness and patience.htm

Treatise ix. On the Advantage of Patience.
... But if we hope for that which we see not, then do we by patience wait for it."
[3612] Therefore, waiting and patience are needful, that we may fulfil that ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise ix on the advantage.htm

Moses and his Writings
... For centuries God had been waiting in patience; the warning He had given to them
through Sodom's swift destruction had been unheeded; now at last the cup of ...
/.../duff/the bible in its making/chapter iii moses and his.htm

Distinction Between Exterior and Interior Actions --Those of the ...
... This anchor is trust in God and hope in His goodness, waiting in patience for the
tempest to cease, and for a favourable wind to return, as David did: "I ...
/.../chapter xvii distinction between exterior.htm

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