Waiting can be one of the most difficult things for Christians. We live in an instant gratification society and having patience to wait on the Lord’s timing can be a real challenge. However, the Bible has a lot to say about waiting and why it’s important for our growth and character development as followers of Jesus.
Waiting Tests and Develops Our Faith
One of the key reasons God calls us to seasons of waiting is that it tests and grows our faith. Waiting on the Lord requires trusting in His perfect timing and believing that He is good even when we don’t understand the delay. Here are some verses about how waiting develops our faith:
“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope” (Romans 5:3-4). Going through difficult seasons of waiting produces perseverance and character in us. As we learn to wait faithfully on God, our hope in His promises grows.
“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him…” (Psalm 37:7). Learning to rest and wait patiently on the Lord even in times of uncertainty increases our trust in God’s sovereignty and timing.
“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31). Waiting strengthens our faith because we are forced to rely on God’s strength rather than our own. He renews us spiritually when we wait upon Him.
Waiting Deepens Our Character
Waiting also has a purifying effect on our hearts and minds. It refines our character and helps us grow in godliness. Here are some verses about how waiting works to transform us:
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9). Waiting develops perseverance and patience in us. We must not grow tired of living according to God’s principles.
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” (James 1:2-3). From God’s perspective, we should consider trials an opportunity for spiritual growth. Waiting through difficulties deepens our trust in God.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…” (Galatians 5:22). As we walk with the Spirit during seasons of waiting, His fruit – like patience – grows in our lives.
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28). God uses times of waiting to transform us for His glory. The trials we go through produce Christlike maturity.
Waiting Strengthens Our Hope
Waiting on the Lord also develops our eternal perspective and hope in His promises for the future. Here are some verses about how waiting causes us to set our hope fully on Christ:
“But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” (Romans 8:25). Hoping in God’s promises and timing (even when we can’t yet see the outcome) produces endurance and patience in us.
“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope…” (Psalm 130:5). Waiting strengthens our hope because it leads us to find hope in God’s Word and His steadfast love for us.
“For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” (Romans 8:24-25). Our eternal salvation is secured by hope in what we can’t yet see. Waiting develops our hope in Christ.
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself…” (Psalm 37:7). Being still and waiting on the Lord renews our eternal perspective and hope in God’s sovereignty.
Waiting Allows God to Work
Seasons of waiting also teach us to rely on God’s timing and power rather than our own. He often uses times of delay or inactivity to accomplish His purposes in our lives and in the world. Here are some verses about how waiting shifts our focus to God’s work:
“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31). When we wait on the Lord, He renews and strengthens us. He does His work in and through us.
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself…” (Psalm 37:7). Being still and ceasing our striving opens the way for God to move in power.
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9). God works all things according to His perfect timing and purposes. Waiting aligns us with His patience.
“And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”” (Acts 1:10-11). After Jesus ascended, the disciples waited in obedience rather than taking matters into their own hands. God was at work and they needed to trust His timing.
Waiting Keeps Us from Sin
Waiting on God also prevents us from moving ahead of Him and sliding into sin. Acting hastily can often lead us into actions God never intended. Here are some verses about how waiting keeps us from sin:
“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14). Waiting for clear direction from the Lord before acting keeps us from sinful actions taken out of impatience.
“Whoever believes will not act hastily.” (Isaiah 28:16). When we wait for God’s timing and direction, we avoid the impulsive decisions that can lead to sin.
“Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice…But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me.” (Psalm 49:7-9, 15). Only God can ransom our lives. When we wait for His deliverance rather than act hastily, we avoid sin.
Waiting Allows Us to Receive God’s Best
Though waiting can be difficult, God often has important purposes for making us wait. His perfect timing and plan is worth the patience it requires. Here are some verses about the blessings of waiting according to God’s timetable:
“But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.” (Micah 7:7). Waiting looks to God as our source, not earthly options. He wants to bless us in His perfect way and time.
“Wait for the Lord and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land…” (Psalm 37:34). Waiting in obedience positions us to receive God’s best inheritance and blessings for our lives.
“If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land” (Isaiah 1:19). Waiting for God’s direction and timing sets us up to experience His best blessings and favor.
Waiting Requires Patience and Endurance
Though waiting on God is always purposeful, it is not easy. Waiting requires choosing patience and endurance over taking matters into our own hands. Here are some verses about practices to embrace during seasons of waiting:
“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him…” (Psalm 37:7). Waiting patiently through rest, prayer, worship and trust in God’s sovereignty sustains us during seasons of waiting.
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him…” (Psalm 37:7). Stillness and seeking God’s face through prayer and Scripture deepens patience.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9). Waiting requires persistent endurance and faith that victory will come.
“Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” (James 5:8). Embracing godly practices strengthens us to wait patiently on God’s timing and purposes.
“I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.” (Psalm 40:1). Patience and anticipation characterize Biblical waiting. God responds when we persevere.
Examples of Biblical Figures Who Waited on God
Many important biblical figures had to endure long, hard seasons of waiting on God. Though it was difficult, their patient endurance provides examples for us to follow. Here are a few examples:
Abraham – Abraham waited many decades for the promised son God said would come through him (see Genesis 12-21). Hiswaiting strengthened his faith and grew his capacity to partner with God’s miracles.
Joseph – Joseph spent years in slavery and prison before God elevated him to second-in-command over Egypt (see Genesis 37-50).Waiting deepened Joseph’s maturity, character and wisdom.
Moses – Moses spent 40 years tending sheep in Midian before God called him to lead Israel out of Egypt (see Exodus 2-6). The waiting prepared and humbled Moses to serve God’s purposes.
David – David waited over a decade after being secretly anointed king before he actually became king (see 1 Samuel 16 – 2 Samuel 5). His waiting nurtured perseverance and deep dependence on God.
Elijah – The prophet Elijah endured isolation, spiritual warfare and physical exhaustion during 3 years of drought before God sent rain again (see 1 Kings 17-18). Waiting refined Elijah’s faith and obedience.
Biblical figures like Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David and Elijah demonstrate that waiting – though hard – is a critical precursor to stepping into God’s purposes. God uses seasons of waiting to prepare and position us.
Waiting Equips Us for Greater Works
One of the greatest benefits of waiting according to God’s timing is that He prepares us for greater things during seasons of delay or inactivity. Here are some verses about how waiting readies us for more:
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). Waiting with an eternal mindset readies us for greater eternal rewards.
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3-4). Waiting through suffering develops godly character and new hope for the future.
“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:4). Persevering through waiting leads to spiritual maturity and readiness for greater responsibility.
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak … but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.” (Isaiah 40:29, 31). Waiting renews inner strength and equips us with new spiritual power.
Tips for Waiting Well
Waiting well is just as important as waiting. Scripture offers much wisdom on staying spiritually strong through seasons of delay and patience. Here are some tips:
– Rest in God’s sovereignty and timing (Psalm 37:7)
– Pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
– Renew your hope through God’s Word (Psalm 119:114)
– Allow character development through trials (James 1:2-4)
– Persevere in obedience (Galatians 6:9)
– Give thanks in everything (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
– Entrust your desires to God (Psalm 37:4-5)
– Seek God’s kingdom above all (Matthew 6:33)
– Focus on eternal rather than earthly rewards (Colossians 3:2)
Waiting Produces Great Reward
Waiting according to God’s perfect timing requires faith and patience. But Scripture gives many promises that our perseverance will be rewarded. Here are some verses about the good gifts waiting produces:
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28). God ultimately uses waiting to work everything for our eternal good.
“But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31). Waiting renews and energizes us spiritually.
“Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.” (Proverbs 24:14). Waiting according to God’s wisdom leads to hopeful fulfillment of His promises.
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9). Persisting through weary waiting leads to harvest and blessing.
“For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.” (Psalm 92:4). Waiting allows us to see God’s handiwork and leads us into worship.
Waiting Prepares Us for Jesus’ Return
One of the greatest rewards for those who wait faithfully on Christ is that it prepares us for His return. Our waiting focuses us on the greater hope of eternity with Him. Here are some key verses about being ready for Jesus’ return:
“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope…and so we will always be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13, 17). Our hope in Jesus purifies us to be ready for His coming.
“Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day–and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:8). Waiting patiently for Christ’s return leads to eternal reward.
“Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:2). Waiting focuses our hope on becoming like Christ when we see Him face to face.
“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.” (Revelation 22:12). Waiting expectantly for Christ purifies us to be found ready at His return.
Our eager anticipation and patience as we wait for Jesus points others to Christ and allows the Holy Spirit to prepare our hearts to meet Him face to face!