What does the Bible say about waiting?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that waiting on the Lord is an active posture of faith, hope, prayer, and obedience, trusting that God will fulfill his wise purposes in his perfect time. Psalm 27:14 calls believers to be strong and take courage while waiting for the Lord, and Isaiah 40:31 promises renewed strength to those who hope in him. Psalm 37:7 and Psalm 62:5 urge quiet rest before God rather than anxious striving. Even when circumstances seem dark, Micah 7:7 and Lamentations 3:25 direct us to look expectantly to the God who hears and is good to those who seek him. Habakkuk 2:3 assures us that God's appointed promises will not fail or arrive late.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Psalms 27:14
Wait for Yahweh. Be strong, and let your heart take courage. Yes, wait for Yahweh.
- Isaiah 40:31
but those who wait for Yahweh shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.
- Psalms 37:7
Rest in Yahweh, and wait patiently for him. Don't fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who makes wicked plots happen.
- Micah 7:7
But as for me, I will look to Yahweh. I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.
- Psalms 130:5
I wait for Yahweh. My soul waits. I hope in his word.
- Habakkuk 2:3
For the vision is yet for the appointed time, and it hurries toward the end, and won't prove false. Though it takes time, wait for it; because it will surely come. It won't delay.
- Lamentations 3:25
Yahweh is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him.
- Isaiah 30:18
Therefore will Yahweh wait, that he may be gracious to you; and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy on you: for Yahweh is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.
- Psalms 62:5
My soul, wait in silence for God alone, For my expectation is from him.
- Psalms 33:20
Our soul has waited for Yahweh. He is our help and our shield.
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Nave's Topical Bible
- Upon God
- As the God of providence Jeremiah 14:22
- As the God of salvation Psalms 25:5
- As the giver of all temporal blessings Psalms 104:27; Psalms 104:28; Psalms 145:15; Psalms 145:16
- For mercy Psalms 123:2
- For pardon Psalms 39:7; Psalms 39:8
- For the consolation of Israel Luke 2:25
- For salvation Genesis 49:18; Psalms 62:1; Psalms 62:2
- For guidance and teaching Psalms 25:5
- For protection Psalms 33:20; Psalms 59:9; Psalms 59:10
- For the fulfillment of his word Habakkuk 2:3
- For the fulfillment of his promises Acts 1:4
- For the hope of righteousness by faith Galatians 5:5
- For the coming of Christ 1 Corinthians 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 1:10
- Is good Psalms 52:9
- God calls us to Zephaniah 3:8
- Exhortations and encouragements to Psalms 27:14; Psalms 37:7; Hosea 12:6
- Should be with the soul Psalms 62:1; Psalms 62:5
- With earnest desire Psalms 130:6
- With patience Psalms 37:7; Psalms 40:1
- With resignation Lamentations 3:26
- With hope in his word Psalms 130:5
- With full confidence Micah 7:7
- Continually Hosea 12:6
- All the day Psalms 25:5
- Especially in adversity Psalms 59:1-9; Isaiah 8:17
- In the way of his judgments Isaiah 26:8
- Saints resolve on Psalms 52:9; Psalms 59:9
- Saints have expectation from Psalms 62:5
- Saints plead, in prayer Psalms 25:21; Isaiah 33:2
- The patience of saints often tested in Psalms 69:3
- Those who engage in
- Wait upon him only Psalms 62:5
- Are heard Psalms 40:1
- Are blessed Isaiah 30:18; Daniel 12:12
- Experience his goodness Lamentations 3:25
- Will not be ashamed Psalms 25:3; Isaiah 49:23
- Will renew their strength Isaiah 40:31
- Will inherit the earth Psalms 37:9
- Will be saved Proverbs 20:22; Isaiah 25:9
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