Topical Bible: The Blessed: Who Wait for the Lord

◄ The Blessed: Who Wait for the Lord ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of waiting for the Lord is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, emphasizing the virtues of patience, faith, and trust in God's timing and promises. Those who wait for the Lord are often described as blessed, experiencing divine favor and strength.

Biblical Foundation

The idea of waiting for the Lord is rooted in numerous scriptural passages. 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 highlights the renewal of strength and vitality that comes from trusting in God's timing and provision.

Psalm 27:14 further encourages believers, "Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD." Here, waiting is associated with strength and courage, suggesting that it is an active, rather than passive, endeavor.

Characteristics of the Blessed

1. Faith and Trust: Those who wait for the Lord demonstrate a deep faith and trust in God's promises. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see." Waiting for the Lord requires believers to trust in His unseen plans and purposes.

2. Patience and Perseverance: Patience is a key characteristic of those who wait for the Lord. James 5:7-8 advises, "Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the soil, being patient about it, until it receives the early and late rains. You too, be patient and strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near."

3. Hope and Expectation: Waiting for the Lord is marked by a hopeful expectation of God's intervention and blessing. Romans 8:25 states, "But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently." This hope is not wishful thinking but a confident expectation based on God's faithfulness.

Examples from Scripture

1. Abraham and Sarah: Abraham and Sarah waited many years for the fulfillment of God's promise of a son. Despite their advanced age, they trusted in God's word, and Isaac was born as a testament to their faith and patience (Genesis 21:1-3).

2. Joseph: Joseph's life is a powerful example of waiting for the Lord. Sold into slavery and later imprisoned, Joseph remained faithful and patient, ultimately rising to a position of power in Egypt and fulfilling God's plan to save his family (Genesis 37-50).

3. David: Anointed as king while still a young shepherd, David waited many years before ascending to the throne. During this time, he faced numerous trials but continued to trust in God's timing and sovereignty (1 Samuel 16-2 Samuel 5).

Spiritual Benefits

Waiting for the Lord cultivates spiritual maturity and deepens one's relationship with God. It teaches reliance on God's wisdom rather than human understanding, as Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

Furthermore, those who wait for the Lord experience peace and contentment, as expressed in Isaiah 26:3 : "You will keep in perfect peace the steadfast of mind, because he trusts in You."

Conclusion

The blessedness of those who wait for the Lord is a profound biblical truth, encouraging believers to embrace patience, faith, and hope. Through the examples of biblical figures and the promises of Scripture, Christians are called to trust in God's perfect timing and to find strength and renewal in His presence.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 30:18
And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious to you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy on you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Servant-Lord
... and the Lord of the Universe, are all used by Him for this great, blessed purpose
of gladdening and filling up the needs of the perfected spirits that wait, ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the servant-lord.htm

God Our Guide.
... Again, we would say, oh, how blessed to await the providences of God! ... Never get in
a hurry, but wait on the Lord, and he will always make the way plain ...
/.../orr/food for the lambs or helps for young christians/god our guide.htm

Lord of Mercy, at Thy Gate,
... Hopeful at Thy portals wait; Yea, and when the day is done,. Blessed they
who find the gate. IV. Ah, Good Lord, when Thou wert here,. ...
/.../brownlie/hymns from the morningland/lord of mercy at thy.htm

On the Feast of St Augustine
... Blessed are those servants who wait, for they know not when the Lord will come,
whether it will be in the first, the second or the third watch of the night. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon xviii on the feast.htm

The Secret of Immortal Youth
... II. Now turn, in the next place, to the blessed opposite possibility of inexhaustible
and immortal strength. 'They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the secret of immortal youth.htm

That Gospel Sermon on the Blessed Hope
... at his coming will take him into his blessed kingdom ... of God nowhere tells me to watch
and wait for the coming of the millennium, but for the coming of the Lord. ...
/.../moody/that gospel sermon on the blessed hope/that gospel sermon on the.htm

The Charge to the Soldier of the Lord
... mystical and great and awful; and yet most blessed in its ... brethren, if we stay ourselves
on, and wait patiently for ... The Lord will move before us and open a safe ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the charge to the soldier.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xxii. 42, Where the Lord Asks ...
... see now that in our Christ are all nations blessed, why wait they for what is already
come, and fear not that which is yet to come? for our Lord Jesus Christ ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xli on the words.htm

Laodicea
... men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he
cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bullinger/commentary on revelation/laodicea.htm

'They Also Serve who Only Stand and Wait'
... In Galilee he cannot wait quietly for his Master to come ... fishing-boat, as soon as
he sees the Lord he must ... whilst John sits quiet in the boat, blessed in the ...
/.../they also serve who only.htm