Quietly Waiting on God

In our instant-everything culture, waiting feels like wasted time. We multitask through life, filling every moment with noise and activity. Yet Scripture repeatedly calls us to a countercultural practice: quietly waiting on God. This isn't passive resignation but active trust, not empty idleness but expectant stillness. In the quiet, we discover that God often speaks in whispers, not shouts.

The Biblical Art of Waiting

Waiting on God appears throughout Scripture as a vital spiritual discipline:

It's commanded: "Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD" (Psalm 27:14). The repetition emphasizes its importance.

It's practiced by the faithful: "My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him" (Psalm 62:5). David made waiting a regular practice.

It's rewarded: "For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him" (Isaiah 64:4).

It's how Jesus lived: "And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed" (Mark 1:35).

What Does It Mean to Wait?

The Hebrew word for "wait" (qavah) means to bind together, to collect, to expect. It implies:

• Active anticipation: Like a watchman waiting for dawn
• Patient endurance: Staying steady despite delay
• Confident expectation: Knowing God will act
• Focused attention: Eyes fixed on God alone
• Silent readiness: Prepared to hear and obey

"I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope" (Psalm 130:5). Waiting combines trust, hope, and attention.

Why God Calls Us to Wait

Waiting serves divine purposes in our spiritual formation:

To develop trust: "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5). Waiting teaches us to depend on God's timing.

To purify motives: In stillness, God reveals whether we seek His hand or His heart.

To prepare us: "And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ" (2 Thessalonians 3:5). Waiting prepares us to receive.

To demonstrate faith: "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth" (1 Peter 1:7). Waiting proves genuine faith.

To align our will: As we wait, our desires conform to God's purposes.

The Practice of Quiet Waiting

How do we cultivate this discipline in our noisy world?

1. Create sacred space: Find a quiet place free from distractions. "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet" (Matthew 6:6).

2. Still your body: Physical stillness aids spiritual focus. Sit comfortably but alertly.

3. Quiet your mind: "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). Let racing thoughts settle like sediment in water.

4. Focus on God's presence: You're not waiting for something but for Someone. "In thy presence is fulness of joy" (Psalm 16:11).

5. Release control: Surrender your agenda, timeline, and desired outcomes.

6. Listen actively: "Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth" (1 Samuel 3:9). Expect God to communicate.

7. Rest in love: "The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love" (Zephaniah 3:17).

Common Challenges in Waiting

Obstacles we face when learning to wait:

Restlessness: Our bodies and minds resist stillness. Start with just 5 minutes and gradually increase.

Distraction: Thoughts about tasks and worries intrude. Gently return focus to God.

Impatience: We want immediate results. Remember, "My thoughts are not your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8).

Doubt: "Is God really there? Will He speak?" Faith grows through practice.

Guilt: Feeling unproductive. Recognize waiting as active obedience, not laziness.

Comparison: Others seem to hear God easily. Your journey is unique.

What Happens When We Wait

Those who persist in waiting discover:

• Renewed strength: "They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength" (Isaiah 40:31)
• Clear direction: "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go" (Psalm 32:8)
• Deep peace: "In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength" (Isaiah 30:15)
• Spiritual sensitivity: We learn to recognize God's voice
• Transformed perspective: Problems shrink in God's presence
• Intimate relationship: Waiting deepens our connection with God

Biblical Examples of Waiting

Scripture's heroes practiced waiting:

Abraham: Waited 25 years for the promised son. "And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise" (Hebrews 6:15).

Joseph: Waited years in slavery and prison before God's purpose unfolded.

David: Waited to become king despite being anointed. Used waiting time to develop character.

Mary: "But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart" (Luke 2:19). She quietly waited to understand.

Jesus: Waited 30 years before beginning public ministry. Perfect timing required patient waiting.

Waiting in Different Seasons

How waiting looks in various circumstances:

In decision-making: "In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths" (Proverbs 3:6). Wait for clarity before acting.

In suffering: "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord" (James 5:7). Wait for God's deliverance and purpose.

In ministry: "But tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high" (Luke 24:49). Wait for God's equipping.

In prayer: "I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry" (Psalm 40:1). Keep waiting when prayers seem unanswered.

Creating a Waiting Practice

Start small and build consistency:

• Begin with 5-10 minutes daily
• Choose a regular time and place
• Use a timer to avoid clock-watching
• Keep a journal nearby for insights
• Use Scripture to center your thoughts
• Practice listening more than speaking
• End with gratitude for God's presence

Apps like SpiriseBible can provide guided quiet times and contemplative Scripture readings.

Reflection Questions

1. What makes waiting on God difficult for you? How can you address these challenges?
2. When has waiting on God proved valuable in your past? What did you learn?
3. What current situation requires you to wait quietly on God rather than rushing ahead?

Prayer

Today's Challenge