Topical Encyclopedia Waiting upon God is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures, emphasizing the importance of patience, trust, and hope in the Lord's timing and purposes. This act of waiting is not passive but is characterized by an earnest desire and expectation for God's intervention, guidance, and fulfillment of His promises.Biblical Foundation The concept of waiting upon God is deeply rooted in the Old and New Testaments. In the Hebrew Scriptures, the term often translated as "wait" carries the connotation of hope and expectation. 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 and strength that come from waiting with an earnest desire for God's action. Similarly, in the Psalms, waiting is frequently associated with a deep longing for God's presence and deliverance. Psalm 130:5-6 expresses this sentiment: "I wait for the LORD; my soul does wait, and in His word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning—more than watchmen wait for the morning." The repetition underscores the intensity and earnestness of the psalmist's desire. New Testament Perspective In the New Testament, waiting upon God continues to be an essential aspect of the believer's life. Romans 8:25 states, "But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently." This patience is not mere endurance but is imbued with a fervent expectation of God's promises being fulfilled. The early church exemplified this earnest waiting in their anticipation of Christ's return. In 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 , Paul commends the Thessalonians for their faith, noting that they "wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath." Their waiting was marked by a vibrant hope and desire for the culmination of God's redemptive plan. Practical Implications Waiting upon God with earnest desire involves several practical elements for the believer. It requires a steadfast faith in God's character and promises, as seen in Hebrews 11:1 : "Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see." This faith fuels the believer's desire and expectation. Moreover, waiting upon God calls for a life of prayer and communion with Him. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages believers to present their requests to God with thanksgiving, resulting in the peace of God guarding their hearts and minds. This peace sustains the believer during periods of waiting. Finally, waiting with earnest desire involves active obedience and service. James 5:7-8 exhorts believers to be patient and stand firm, using the example of a farmer waiting for the precious fruit of the earth. This imagery suggests that waiting is not idle but involves diligent preparation and faithful action in anticipation of God's timing. Conclusion The biblical call to wait upon God with earnest desire is a profound expression of faith and hope. It is a dynamic and active posture that reflects a deep trust in God's sovereignty and goodness, encouraging believers to remain steadfast and expectant as they look to Him for guidance, strength, and fulfillment of His promises. Torrey's Topical Textbook Psalm 130:6My soul waits for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Waiting on the Lord The Heart's Desire Given to Help Mission Work in China. The Desire of the Soul in Spiritual Darkness How Christ is to be Made Use Of, in Reference to Growing in Grace. Chapter Iii Precious Answers to Prayer Directions to Awakened Sinners. Claiming. A Sheaf of Prayer Arrows Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount An Address to the Regenerate, Founded on the Preceding Discourses. Resources Why is waiting on God so difficult? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to wait on the Lord? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about patience? | 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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