Topical Bible: Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage in Wait Upon Him Only

Bible > Topical > Waiting Upon God

◄ Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage in Wait Upon Him Only ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Definition and Concept:

Waiting upon God is a spiritual discipline and act of faith characterized by patience, trust, and hope in God's timing and provision. It involves a conscious decision to rely solely on God for guidance, strength, and fulfillment of His promises. This practice is deeply rooted in the belief that God is sovereign, faithful, and attentive to the needs of His people.

Biblical Foundation:

The concept of waiting upon God is woven throughout Scripture, emphasizing the importance of patience and trust in the divine plan. 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 spiritual renewal and strength that come from waiting on God.

Psalm 27:14 encourages believers to "Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD." This call to patience and courage underscores the necessity of steadfastness in the face of uncertainty and adversity.

Theological Significance:

Waiting upon God is an expression of faith and submission to His will. It acknowledges God's omniscience and omnipotence, trusting that His plans are perfect and His timing impeccable. This act of waiting is not passive but active, involving prayer, meditation on Scripture, and a readiness to act when God directs.

Theologically, waiting upon God is a demonstration of humility and dependence, recognizing human limitations and the need for divine intervention. It is a testament to the believer's confidence in God's character and promises, as seen in Lamentations 3:25 : "The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him."

Practical Implications:

In practical terms, waiting upon God requires a disciplined approach to life. It involves setting aside personal agendas and timelines, allowing God to lead. This can manifest in various aspects of life, such as decision-making, relationships, and personal growth.

Believers are encouraged to cultivate a lifestyle of waiting through regular prayer, study of the Word, and fellowship with other believers. This communal aspect of waiting can provide encouragement and accountability, as seen in Hebrews 10:24-25 : "And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Examples from Scripture:

The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals who waited upon God, demonstrating the blessings and challenges of this spiritual discipline. Abraham waited for the promise of a son, as recounted in Genesis 21:1-2 : "Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised. So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised."

King David, often pursued by enemies, exemplified waiting on God for deliverance and justice. In Psalm 37:7 , he writes, "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."

Challenges and Rewards:

Waiting upon God can be challenging, as it often involves enduring periods of uncertainty and delay. However, the rewards are profound, including spiritual growth, increased faith, and a deeper relationship with God. James 1:4 encourages believers to "Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Ultimately, those who wait upon God experience His faithfulness and provision, as He fulfills His promises in His perfect timing. This assurance is captured in Psalm 130:5 : "I wait for the LORD; my soul does wait, and in His word I put my hope."

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 62:5
My soul, wait you only on God; for my expectation is from him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

How to Make Use of Christ as the Truth, for Growth in Knowledge.
... offices, engagements, and promises, and waiting upon his breathing ... a real thing,
laying hold on God and holding ... of him by faith and single dependence upon him. ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xiii how to make.htm

Directions to Awakened Sinners.
... to employ himself in his service, waiting only the intimations ... interposition; and
remember, it depends upon God, not only ... such as they are, for God, and humbly ...
/.../practical discourses on regeneration/discourse ix directions to awakened.htm

Letter viii. Public and Social Worship, and Sabbath Employments.
... therefore, excuse ourselves for not waiting upon these means ... immediate repentance
and submission to God, and urge ... Urge upon them the duties of watchfulness, self ...
/.../letter viii public and social.htm

In Him: Like Him
... like Moses, with nothing, to do but wait upon God till God ... There is a wonderful service
in waiting till the ... than anything which we can possibly present to God. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 29 1883/in him like him.htm

Chapter I Beginning and Early Days of the Orphan Work.
... and my soul was, through grace, truly waiting upon the Lord ... be enjoyed by all the
children of God; for though ... faith, to cast all their burdens upon Him, to trust ...
/.../muller/answers to prayer/chapter i beginning and early.htm

The Book of the Covenant
... new light may be thrown both upon the Covenant and upon the Book ... religion is a matter
of outward instruction from man: the waiting to hear God's voice that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/the two covenants/chapter xii the book of.htm

Covenanting Sanctioned by the Divine Example.
... excellence,"blessings wait, and attract while waiting,"He waits ... Taking hold upon
it, the unnumbered millions for whom ... of swearing by the name of God is holy ...
/.../the ordinance of covenanting/chapter ix covenanting sanctioned by.htm

Of the Navigation of King Agrippa to Rome, to Tiberius Caesar; and ...
... Tiberius was not yet come, but staid waiting for his ... before, he reflected on the
power of God, and how ... because his preservation would now depend upon such as ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 of the navigation.htm

Conclusion.
... nor asleep, with my lamp unfurnished; but waiting and longing ... beam from the face
of the Son of God; and not ... may be effectual, through thy grace, upon the heart ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the saints everlasting rest/conclusion.htm

A Word to Workers
... Old Testament times, the Spirit came with power upon the prophets ... us bow very low
before God, in waiting for His ... about among the people as men of God, that we ...
/.../murray/the deeper christian life/vii a word to workers.htm