Being prepared to patiently look towards God for his guidance and accepting the timing he proposes. Waiting on God can lead to an atmosphere of expectation and confidence in God and a realisation of the unreliability of one's own judgment.
Waiting on God is something that is commanded
Hosea 12:6 See also Psalm 27:14, Psalm 37:7, Psalm 37:34, Psalm 123:2; Isaiah 30:18
But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and always wait on your God.
Reasons for waiting on God
Jeremiah 14:22 for his providence; Psalm 25:5 for his salvation; Psalm 145:15–16 for his blessings
Waiting on Christ
James 5:7–8 “Waiting on Christ” is often seen in terms of waiting patiently for God to bring about the end of all things through the promised second coming of Jesus Christ. See also Luke 12:35–40; 1 Corinthians 1:7, 1 Corinthians 4:5; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:28; Jude 1:21
Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer awaits 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 benefits of waiting on God
It leads to expectancy
Psalm 5:3 See also Romans 8:23; 1 Corinthians 4:5; Galatians 5:5; Titus 2:13
In the morning, O LORD, You hear my voice; at daybreak I lay my plea before You and wait in expectation.
It leads to hope
Psalm 33:20 See also Psalm 130:5; Isaiah 51:5; Micah 7:7
Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield.
It leads to trust
I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding His face from the house of Jacob. I will put my trust in Him.
It leads to patience
Romans 8:23–25 See also Lamentations 3:24–26; Revelation 6:9–11
Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved; but hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he can already see? But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently.
Examples of people who waited on God
Genesis 49:18 Jacob; Psalm 39:7 David; Isaiah 8:17 Isaiah; Micah 7:7 Micah; Mark 15:43 Joseph of Arimathea; Luke 2:25 Simeon
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.