Topical Encyclopedia Waiting upon God is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures, reflecting a posture of trust, patience, and expectation in the life of a believer. This concept is deeply rooted in the understanding of God's sovereignty, faithfulness, and timing. The saints of old exemplified this resolve, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to seeking God's will and timing above their own.Biblical Foundation The call to wait upon God is woven throughout the biblical narrative. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word "qavah" often translated as "wait," conveys a sense of hope and eager anticipation. Isaiah 40:31 declares, "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 encapsulates the promise of divine strength and renewal for those who patiently trust in the Lord. The Psalms frequently echo this theme, as seen in Psalm 27:14 : "Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD." Here, the psalmist encourages believers to exhibit courage and strength as they wait, underscoring the active nature of this spiritual discipline. Examples of Saints Waiting Throughout Scripture, numerous saints exemplify the resolve to wait upon God. Abraham, the patriarch of faith, waited for the fulfillment of God's promise of a son, Isaac, despite the improbability due to his and Sarah's advanced age (Genesis 21:1-3). His patience and trust in God's promise are commended in Hebrews 6:15 : "And so Abraham, after waiting patiently, obtained the promise." King David, anointed as a young shepherd boy, waited many years before ascending to the throne of Israel. During this period, he faced numerous trials and adversities, yet he consistently sought God's guidance and timing. In Psalm 37:7 , David advises, "Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men prosper in their ways, when they carry out wicked schemes." The prophet Habakkuk also exemplifies this resolve. In a time of national turmoil, he chose to wait for God's intervention, declaring in Habakkuk 2:3 , "For the vision awaits an appointed time; it testifies of the end and will not lie. Though it lingers, wait for it, since it will surely come and will not delay." New Testament Perspective In the New Testament, the theme of waiting upon God continues, with an emphasis on the return of Christ and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The early church lived in anticipation of Christ's second coming, as instructed in passages like James 5:7-8 : "Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the soil—how patient he is for the fall and spring rains. You too, be patient and strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near." The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, often encouraged believers to wait with hope and perseverance. In Romans 8:25 , he writes, "But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently." This reflects the tension between the present reality and the future fulfillment of God's promises. Spiritual Discipline and Growth Waiting upon God is not a passive endeavor but an active engagement in faith and obedience. It requires a deep trust in God's character and promises, as well as a willingness to surrender personal agendas and timelines. This spiritual discipline cultivates virtues such as patience, humility, and perseverance, shaping believers into the likeness of Christ. The resolve to wait upon God is a testament to the believer's faith and reliance on divine wisdom. It acknowledges that God's ways and Torrey's Topical Textbook Psalm 52:9I will praise you for ever, because you have done it: and I will wait on your name; for it is good before your saints. Torrey's Topical Textbook Psalm 59:9 Library Habakkuk-On his Watch-Tower The Broken Fence The Misery of those Who, Besides Losing the Saints' Rest, Lose the ... The Duty of the People of God to Excite Others to Seek this Rest. The Morning Watch in the Life of Obedience. Preparing to Depart Of the Nature of Regeneration, with Respect to the Change it ... "He is the Rock, his Work is Perfect. For all his Ways are ... The Prophetic Theme. Rev. Gervase Smith. Assurance Resources What does it mean that hope deferred makes the heart sick (Proverbs 13:12)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is absurdism? | GotQuestions.org In the Song of Solomon, why is it said that we shouldn't awaken love until it pleases? | GotQuestions.org Waiting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Waiting for Guidance and Teaching Waiting for the Coming of Christ Waiting for the Consolation of Israel Waiting for the Fulfillment of his Promises Waiting for the Fulfillment of his Word Waiting for the Hope of Righteousness by Faith Waiting in the Way of his Judgments Waiting Upon God: As the Giver of all Temporal Blessings Waiting Upon God: As the God of Providence Waiting Upon God: As the God of Salvation Waiting Upon God: Exhortations and Encouragements To Waiting Upon God: For: Coming of Christ Waiting Upon God: For: Guidance and Teaching Waiting Upon God: For: Hope of Righteous by Faith Waiting Upon God: For: Protection Waiting Upon God: For: Salvation Waiting Upon God: For: The Consolation of Israel Waiting Upon God: For: The Fulfillment of his Promises Waiting Upon God: For: The Fulfillment of his Word Waiting Upon God: God Calls Us To Waiting Upon God: Predicted of the Gentiles Waiting Upon God: Saints Have Expectation From Waiting Upon God: Saints Plead, in Prayer Waiting Upon God: Saints Resolve On Waiting Upon God: should be all the Day Waiting Upon God: should be Continually Waiting Upon God: should be in the Way of his Judgments Waiting Upon God: should be Specially in Adversity Waiting Upon God: should Be with Earnest Desire Waiting Upon God: should Be with Full Confidence Waiting Upon God: should Be with Hope in his Word Waiting Upon God: should Be with Patience Waiting Upon God: should Be with Resignation Waiting Upon God: should Be with the Soul Waiting Upon God: The Patience of Saints often Tried In Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage In are Blessed Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage In are Heard Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage in Experience his Goodness Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage in Shall be Saved Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage in Shall Inherit the Earth Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage in Shall not be Ashamed Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage in Shall Receive the Glorious Things Prepared by God for Them Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage in Shall Rejoice in Salvation Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage in Shall Renew Their Strength Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage in Wait Upon Him Only Waiting: Especially in Adversity Waiting: Exhortations and Encouragements To Waiting: Predicted of the Gentiles Waiting: Saints Have Expectation From Waiting: Saints Plead, in Prayer Waiting: should be With the Soul Waiting: The Patience of Saints often Tested In Waiting: Those Who Engage In are Blessed Waiting: Those Who Engage In are Heard Waiting: Those Who Engage in Experience his Goodness Waiting: Those Who Engage in Wait Upon Him Only Waiting: Those Who Engage in Will be Saved Waiting: Those Who Engage in Will Inherit the Earth Waiting: Those Who Engage in Will not be Ashamed Waiting: Those Who Engage in Will Receive the Glorious Things Prepared by God for Them Waiting: Those Who Engage in Will Rejoice in Salvation Waiting: Those Who Engage in Will Renew Their Strength Waiting: Upon God: As the Giver of all Temporal Blessings Waiting: Upon God: As the God of Providence Waiting: Upon God: As the God of Salvation Related Terms |
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