Why You Need to Wait on God
As Christians, we are called to live lives of faith, obedience, and love. Amidst the busyness and chaos of the world, waiting on God can sometimes be challenging. However, throughout the Bible, we find numerous instances where patience and waiting on God played crucial roles in shaping individuals' lives and God's divine plan.
Here we will explore the importance of waiting on God including examples of biblical figures who were blessed as a result of doing just that.
1. Surrendering to God's Perfect Plan.
Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Waiting on God is an act of surrendering our desires and plans to His perfect will.
It requires us to put our faith in His wisdom, knowing that He sees the bigger picture and knows what is best for us.
Through patient waiting, we learn to align our hearts with His purpose, embracing His plan with humility and trust.
2. Strengthening our Faith.
Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."
Waiting on God demands unwavering faith, especially when circumstances seem uncertain or prayers appear unanswered.
It is in these moments of patient trust that our faith is fortified, and our belief in God's faithfulness is strengthened. As we witness God's faithfulness in His timing, our faith grows, and we become bolder in our walk with Him.
3. Developing Godly Character.
The journey of waiting on God molds our character and transforms us into Christ-like individuals.
Romans 5:3-4 reminds us, "we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."
Waiting patiently on God cultivates virtues like perseverance, humility, and obedience.
As we endure trials and tribulations with faith, we become more Christ-like in our actions and attitudes, reflecting God's love and grace to the world around us.
4. Seeking God's Direction.
Psalm 25:4-5 says, "Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."
Waiting on God provides us with an opportunity to seek His guidance and direction. Instead of rushing ahead with our plans, we learn to seek His will through prayer, studying His Word, and listening to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
Patient waiting allows God to reveal His purpose and direction for our lives, leading us to make decisions that align with His divine plan.
5. Experiencing God's Faithfulness.
Throughout the Bible, we see how God's faithfulness unfolds in the lives of His people (yep, that part is coming up).
In our own lives, waiting on God grants us the privilege of witnessing His faithfulness in every circumstance. As we reflect on past instances where God has come through for us, we find reassurance that He will continue to be faithful in the future.
Now for the biblical examples of people who were blessed because they waited on God!
1. Abraham and Sarah.
Abraham and Sarah's story is a remarkable example of waiting on God's promise.
God called Abraham to leave his homeland and promised to make him the father of a great nation. However, both Abraham and Sarah were well beyond their childbearing years, making the promise seem impossible. Despite their doubts and struggles, they waited faithfully on God for many years.
Finally, in their old age, God fulfilled His promise, and Sarah conceived and gave birth to their son Isaac, who became the father of the nation of Israel.
Their patient obedience led to the fulfillment of God's covenant, and they were blessed to be the progenitors of a great nation, as God had promised.
2. Daniel.
The story of Daniel is one of steadfast faith and unwavering commitment to God.
When he was taken as a captive to Babylon, he faced various challenges and adversities. However, he remained faithful to God, refusing to compromise his beliefs and principles.
In one notable instance, when King Darius issued a decree that prohibited prayer to anyone other than the king, Daniel continued to pray to God three times a day, even when it meant facing the lion's den as punishment.
His patient faithfulness resulted in God's protection and deliverance, as God shut the lions' mouths, sparing Daniel's life. Daniel's unwavering trust in God's timing and purposes led to blessings and divine favor throughout his life.
3. Hannah.
Hannah's story, found in the book of 1 Samuel, is a beautiful example of waiting on God in the face of deep sorrow and longing.
Hannah desperately desired to have a child, but she was barren.
Year after year, she fervently prayed and sought the Lord for a child. In her anguish, she made a vow to dedicate her child to the service of God if He granted her the desire of her heart.
God heard her prayers, and in due time, she conceived and gave birth to Samuel, who later became a great prophet and leader in Israel.
Hannah's patient waiting on God resulted in the blessing of motherhood and the privilege of raising a significant figure in Israel's history.
4. David.
David's life was marked by trials, challenges, and moments of waiting on God.
Before becoming king, David spent years fleeing from King Saul, who sought to kill him out of jealousy.
Despite being anointed as the future king, David patiently waited on God's timing to ascend the throne.
He had opportunities to take matters into his own hands and kill Saul, but he chose to trust God's plan and not harm the anointed king.
David's faithfulness and patience were rewarded when Saul eventually died in battle, and David was crowned king over Israel. His trust in God's timing and his refusal to take matters into his own hands led to God's blessing and favor upon his reign.
5. Noah.
Noah's obedience and patience in building the ark exemplify waiting on God's instructions.
When God warned Noah about the impending flood, Noah faithfully followed God's command to build an ark, even though there was no sign of rain at that time.
Despite the ridicule and mockery from others, Noah patiently continued building the ark, trusting in God's promise to protect him and his family.
As a result of his obedience and patience, Noah and his family were saved from the flood, and they became the remnant through whom God would repopulate the earth. Noah's patient trust in God's guidance and timing led to the preservation of humanity and the renewal of God's covenant with humanity.
6. Job.
Job's story is one of enduring faithfulness during intense suffering and loss.
Despite facing tremendous hardships, Job maintained his trust in God's wisdom and goodness. He did not understand why he was going through such trials, but he refused to curse God or lose faith.
In his patient endurance, Job's faith was tested, and in the end, God blessed him abundantly, restoring what he had lost and doubling his previous wealth.
Job's unwavering patience and faithfulness through suffering resulted in God's blessings and the manifestation of His sovereign plan.
Waiting on God is an integral aspect of the Christian journey. It calls us to trust in His perfect plan, to strengthen our faith, and to develop godly character.
The examples of Abraham, Sarah, Daniel, Hannah, David, Noah, and Job in the Bible demonstrate the significance of waiting on God with patience, trust, and faithfulness.
Through their stories, we learn that God's timing is perfect, and when we remain steadfast in waiting on Him, we are blessed beyond measure.
Whether it is waiting for God's promises to be fulfilled, seeking His guidance, or enduring through trials, waiting on God allows us to experience His faithfulness, love, and transformative power in our lives. Just as these biblical figures were rewarded for their patient trust in God, so too can we find blessings and fulfillment in our walk with Him when we wait upon His leading and timing.
By seeking God's direction and experiencing His faithfulness through patient waiting, we draw closer to Him and deepen our relationship with our Heavenly Father.
Let us, as Christians, embrace the profound power of patience and learn to wait on God with unwavering faith, knowing that in His perfect timing, He will lead us to a life filled with purpose, joy, and fulfillment in Him.
Want to get deeper into God’s Word but don’t know where to start? Reading through the Bible in a year is a great place!
If that sounds overwhelming - I understand. I thought so the first time I did it, but it was easy with a good plan and made me look at it in a totally different way. If you want to give it a shot, try my Bible in 365 Days plan!
It’s a simple and doable breakdown of what to read every day, with the benefit of not having to start on January 1 or lagging behind if you miss a day or two (it’s easy to jump right back in). Get it here!
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