The Power of Waiting: How God Works in Those Who Trust

God Works in Those Who Wait

Patience is not only a virtue, but also a fruit of the Spirit. In a world where everything happens at lightning speed, waiting has become a foreign concept. However, waiting is a crucial part of the Christian life. It is in the waiting that we learn to trust God, and it is in the waiting that He works in us. As the psalmist writes, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him” (Psalm 37:7a).

Why Do We Wait?

There are various reasons why we may find ourselves in a season of waiting. It could be a wait for a job opportunity, a wait for healing, a wait for a spouse, or a wait for direction. Whatever the reason, waiting can be uncomfortable and sometimes even painful. However, waiting is not a sign of God’s absence, but rather a sign of His presence.

Waiting is God’s way of preparing us for what’s to come. Just as a farmer must wait for his crops to grow before he can harvest them, so too must we wait for God’s plan to unfold. Waiting is a reminder that we are not in control, but that God is. It is in the waiting that we learn to surrender to Him and to trust in His timing.

What Happens When We Wait?

Waiting is not a passive activity. It is an active process of growth and transformation. When we wait on God, He works in us to refine our character and to align our hearts with His. As the apostle Paul writes, “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 uses the waiting to teach us patience, perseverance, and faith. He uses it to strengthen our relationship with Him and to deepen our understanding of His character. In the waiting, we learn to rely on His promises and to trust in His faithfulness. As the psalmist writes, “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry” (Psalm 40:1).

What Does the Bible Say About Waiting?

The Bible is full of examples of waiting. Abraham waited for a son, Joseph waited in prison, Moses waited in the wilderness, and David waited to be king. The Israelites waited for deliverance from slavery, and the disciples waited for the Holy Spirit.

One of the most well-known stories of waiting is that of Noah. God told Noah to build an ark and to wait for the flood. It took Noah decades to build the ark, and during that time, he faced ridicule and opposition. However, Noah trusted in God’s plan and waited patiently for the flood to come. When it did, Noah and his family were saved.

Another example of waiting is that of Hannah. Hannah was barren and longed for a child. She prayed to God and waited patiently for Him to answer her prayer. When she finally gave birth to Samuel, she dedicated him to the Lord and praised God for His faithfulness.

How Do We Wait?

Waiting is not easy, but there are things we can do to make the waiting more fruitful. First and foremost, we must pray. We must bring our concerns and desires to God, and we must trust that He hears us. As the psalmist writes, “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth” (Psalm 145:18).

We must also study God’s Word. The Bible is full of promises and encouragement for those who wait on the Lord. As the apostle Paul writes, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

In addition, we must seek the counsel of wise and godly friends. We need the support and encouragement of others who can remind us of God’s faithfulness and His promises. As the writer of Proverbs says, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed” (Proverbs 15:22).

Conclusion

Waiting is hard, but it is also necessary. It is in the waiting that we learn to trust God and to rely on His promises. It is in the waiting that He works in us to refine our character and to align our hearts with His. As the apostle James writes, “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:4).

When we wait on God, we can be confident that He is at work. We can trust that His timing is perfect, and that His plans for us are good. As the psalmist writes, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” (Psalm 27:14).