Waiting Upon God: should be Continually
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Definition and Importance

Waiting upon God is a spiritual discipline that involves trusting in God's timing, seeking His guidance, and relying on His strength. It is an active, expectant, and patient posture of faith that acknowledges God's sovereignty and wisdom. This practice is essential for believers as it cultivates a deeper relationship with God and aligns their hearts with His will.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of waiting upon God is deeply rooted in Scripture, where it is often associated with hope, trust, and renewal of strength. 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 transformative power of waiting on God, promising strength and endurance to those who trust in Him.

Psalm 27:14 encourages believers to "Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD." Here, waiting is linked with courage and strength, suggesting that it is not a passive activity but one that requires fortitude and resilience.

Continual Waiting

The call to wait upon God is not a one-time event but a continual practice. Lamentations 3:25 affirms, "The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him." This ongoing waiting is an expression of faith and dependence on God, recognizing that His timing and plans are perfect.

In the New Testament, the theme of continual waiting is echoed in Romans 8:25 : "But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently." This verse underscores the importance of patience and perseverance in the life of a believer, as they anticipate the fulfillment of God's promises.

Examples from Scripture

Throughout the Bible, numerous figures exemplify the practice of waiting upon God. Abraham waited for the promise of a son, demonstrating faith in God's covenant (Genesis 15:5-6). Joseph endured years of hardship before seeing God's plan unfold in his life (Genesis 50:20). David, anointed as king, waited many years before ascending to the throne, often expressing his reliance on God in the Psalms (Psalm 37:7).

The early church also exemplified waiting upon God, as seen in Acts 1:4 , where Jesus instructed His disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit: "And while they were gathered together, He commanded them: 'Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift the Father promised, which you have heard Me speak about.'"

Practical Application

For believers today, waiting upon God involves prayer, meditation on Scripture, and a posture of surrender to His will. It requires a heart that is open to God's leading and a willingness to trust Him in all circumstances. As Psalm 62:5 declares, "Rest in God alone, O my soul, for my hope comes from Him."

In a world that often values immediacy and self-reliance, the discipline of waiting upon God serves as a countercultural testament to faith in His perfect timing and provision.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Hosea 12:6
Therefore turn you to your God: keep mercy and judgment and wait on your God continually.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Waiting on God
... of God's beloved children complain continually: "My circumstances ... care that the sun
itself should provide you ... Prayer may be indeed waiting upon God, but there ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/the masters indwelling/iii waiting on god.htm

That God May be all in All.
... groanings for the coming time of glory when God should be all ... Beloved, wait continually
upon God. ... Then the blessed habit of waiting upon God will be learned. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/the masters indwelling/iii that god may be.htm

Strong Faith in a Faithful God
... your common life to God, say continually I will ... step, my brother, without much careful
waiting upon God; but if ... We should end our difficulties by leaving them ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/strong faith in a faithful.htm

John xvi. 16, 17
... But God forbid that any should have a soul so cruel ... For this is what the waiting
upon a harlot makes a ... But God promiseth us heaven, and the good things which ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lxxix john xvi 16.htm

Absurdity of their Styling Themselves Spiritual, While the ...
... all those beings which she saw waiting upon the Saviour ... For no accoucheurs performed
their office upon her, and ... all to whom He wills that God should be revealed ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxx absurdity of their styling.htm

A Prospect of Revival
... If God should visit his Church, he will be pleased to ... people, one of the signs of
God's grace to ... one Monday afternoon, when we had been waiting upon the Lord ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/a prospect of revival.htm

Thoughts Upon the Appearance of Christ the Sun of Righteousness ...
... him; all his Satellites or Servants waiting upon him; ready ... we should have the Light
of God's Countenance shining continually upon us, enlightening ...
/.../private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon the appearance of.htm

How Christ is to be Made Use Of, in Reference to Growing in Grace.
... having nourishment ministered, increaseth with the increase of God. ... out to him, and
a patient waiting for supply ... that the beams thereof may beat upon them, and ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter vii how christ is.htm

Light at Evening Time
... Should hell break loose, and demons innumerable invade this ... of his kingdom, to be
continually scattering the ... praying for more, to be waiting upon God for more ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/light at evening time.htm

The Honored Servant
... the shepherd on Salisbury Plain, whose story should never be ... is the point to get
to; may God bring us ... O brethren, the thought of waiting upon Christ and being ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the honored servant.htm

Resources
Why is waiting on God so difficult? | GotQuestions.org

What 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 ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Waiting

Waiting for Guidance and Teaching

Waiting for Mercy

Waiting for Pardon

Waiting for Protection

Waiting for Salvation

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 is Good

Waiting on God

Waiting Upon God is Good

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: David

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: Mercy

Waiting Upon God: For: Pardon

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: Hannah

Waiting Upon God: Illustrated

Waiting Upon God: Isaiah

Waiting Upon God: Jacob

Waiting Upon God: Joseph

Waiting Upon God: Micah

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 with Earnest Desire

Waiting with Full Confidence

Waiting with Hope in his Word

Waiting with Patience

Waiting with Resignation

Waiting: All the Day

Waiting: Continually

Waiting: David

Waiting: Especially in Adversity

Waiting: Exhortations and Encouragements To

Waiting: God Calls Us To

Waiting: Illustrated

Waiting: Isaiah

Waiting: Jacob

Waiting: Joseph

Waiting: Micah

Waiting: Predicted of the Gentiles

Waiting: Saints Have Expectation From

Waiting: Saints Plead, in Prayer

Waiting: Saints Resolve On

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

Waiting-woman (2 Occurrences)

Eagerly (36 Occurrences)

Unsexed (26 Occurrences)

Treading (26 Occurrences)

Await (12 Occurrences)

Servant-girl (18 Occurrences)

Water-spring (16 Occurrences)

Rains (16 Occurrences)

Meanwhile (38 Occurrences)

Coastlands (29 Occurrences)

Calmly (3 Occurrences)

Sea-lands (24 Occurrences)

Waited (72 Occurrences)

Patience (59 Occurrences)

Secretly (104 Occurrences)

Ambush (39 Occurrences)

Tired (51 Occurrences)

Weariness (44 Occurrences)

Wait (223 Occurrences)

Girl (71 Occurrences)

Lurks (3 Occurrences)

Longing (40 Occurrences)

Wine-servants (2 Occurrences)

Waylay (3 Occurrences)

Thenceforth (11 Occurrences)

Expectantly (6 Occurrences)

Expectant (1 Occurrence)

Delilah (7 Occurrences)

Busy (13 Occurrences)

Bethesda (1 Occurrence)

Blessedness (6 Occurrences)

Attendance (12 Occurrences)

Assist (17 Occurrences)

Seating (10 Occurrences)

Spaces (15 Occurrences)

Starting (34 Occurrences)

Quietly (30 Occurrences)

Quiet (167 Occurrences)

Effect (173 Occurrences)

Areopagus (3 Occurrences)

Leaving (80 Occurrences)

Opinion (91 Occurrences)

Desiring (108 Occurrences)

Aramaeans (49 Occurrences)

Recorded (141 Occurrences)

Searching (111 Occurrences)

Attack (221 Occurrences)

Strength (517 Occurrences)

Designs (118 Occurrences)

Star (16 Occurrences)

Existence (35 Occurrences)

Evil-doer (88 Occurrences)

Friends (152 Occurrences)

Cords (80 Occurrences)

Idea (64 Occurrences)

Working (205 Occurrences)

Fair (147 Occurrences)

Moving (117 Occurrences)

Placing (44 Occurrences)

Fearing (107 Occurrences)

Walled (63 Occurrences)

Cease (138 Occurrences)

Example (54 Occurrences)

Magi (4 Occurrences)

Room (174 Occurrences)

Pulling (57 Occurrences)

Waits (21 Occurrences)

Waiteth (15 Occurrences)

Chamber (73 Occurrences)

Guided (86 Occurrences)

Heritage (435 Occurrences)

Comfort (130 Occurrences)

Delay (47 Occurrences)

Result (73 Occurrences)

Weep (97 Occurrences)

Gives (542 Occurrences)

Slow (43 Occurrences)

Waiting Upon God: should be all the Day
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