God's Waiting Room Sermon with Bible References Explained
"Waiting upon God" is a biblical concept that encompasses a posture of patient expectation, trust, and reliance on God for various aspects of life and salvation [1]. This spiritual discipline is rooted in the understanding that God is the ultimate source of providence, salvation, and all blessings [1].
Biblical texts highlight several facets of waiting upon God:
- For Providence and Blessings The Psalms frequently portray waiting on God as an act of trusting in His provision. For instance, Psalm 104:27-28 states, "These all look to you, to give them their food in due season. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things." Similarly, Psalm 145:15-16 affirms, "The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing" [1]. Jeremiah 14:22 also connects waiting with God's role as the God of providence [1].
- For Salvation and Mercy The expectation of salvation is a significant aspect of waiting. Genesis 49:18 records Jacob's declaration, "I wait for your salvation, O Lord," and Psalm 62:1-2 expresses, "For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken" [1]. Waiting for mercy is also emphasized, as seen in Psalm 123:2: "Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he has mercy upon us" [1].
- For Guidance and Protection Believers are encouraged to wait on God for direction and safety. Psalm 25:5 states, "Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long" [1]. Protection is similarly anticipated, as Psalm 33:20 declares, "Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield" [1].
- For the Fulfillment of His Word and Promises Waiting also involves patient endurance for God to bring His word and promises to fruition. Habakkuk 2:3 advises, "For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay" [1]. The apostles were instructed to wait for the promise of the Father (Acts 1:4) [1].
- For the Coming of Christ In the New Testament, waiting extends to the expectation of Christ's return. Believers are encouraged to wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:7) and to wait for His Son from heaven (1 Thessalonians 1:10) [1]. This waiting is tied to the "hope of righteous by faith" (Galatians 5:5) [1].
The concept of patience is closely linked to waiting upon God. Romans 15:5 identifies God as the "God of patience," and Christ Himself serves as an example of patience (Isaiah 53:7; Acts 8:32; Matthew 27:14) [2]. Patience is enjoined upon believers (Titus 2:2; 2 Peter 1:6) and is understood to be developed through trials (Romans 5:3; James 1:3) [2]. This patience should have its "perfect work" (James 1:4) and is to be exercised in "waiting for God" (Psalm 37:7; 40:1) and "waiting for Christ" (1 Corinthians 1:7; 2 Thessalonians 3:5) [2].
Resignation to God's will is another related theme. Christ's example in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39-44; John 12:27; 18:11) demonstrates submission to divine purposes [3]. Believers are commanded to exhibit resignation by submitting to God's will (2 Samuel 15:26; Psalm 42:5, 11; Matthew 6:10) and His sovereignty (Romans 9:20-21) [3]. This includes resignation in the face of death, loss, chastisements, and bodily suffering (Acts 21:13; Job 1:15, 16, 21; Hebrews 12:9; Job 2:8-10) [3].
Communion with God, which involves a "gracious regard to him and his gracious regard to us," is maintained through both providences and ordinances [4]. Abraham's "careful expectation of the event" concerning Sodom illustrates this, as he rose early to observe what became of his prayers, demonstrating his communion with God in the midst of unfolding events [4].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Waiting Upon God — As the God of providence -- Jer 14:22. As the God of salvation -- Ps 25:5. As the Giver of all temporal blessings -- Ps 104:27,28; Ps 145:15,16. For Mercy. -- Ps 123:2. Pardon. -- Ps 39:7,8. The consolation of Israel. -- Lu 2:25. Salvation. -- Ge 49:18; Ps 62:1,2. Guidance and teaching. -- Ps 25:5. Protection. -- Ps 33:20; 59:9,10. The fulfillment of His word. -- Hab 2:3. The fulfillment of His promises. -- Ac 1:4. Hope of righteous by faith. -- Ga 5:5. Coming of Christ. -- 1Co 1:7; 1Th 1:10. Is good -- Ps 52:9. God calls us to -- Zep 3:8. Exhortat”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Patience — God, is the God of -- Ro 15:5. Christ, an example of -- Isa 53:7; Ac 8:32; Mt 27:14. Enjoined -- Tit 2:2; 2Pe 1:6. Should have its perfect work -- Jas 1:4. Trials of saints lead to -- Ro 5:3; Jas 1:3. Produces Experience. -- Ro 5:4. Hope. -- Ro 15:4. Suffering with, for well-doing, is acceptable with God -- 1Pe 2:20. To be exercised Running the race set before us. -- Heb 12:1. Bringing forth fruits. -- Lu 8:15. Well-doing. -- Ro 2:7; Ga 6:9. Waiting for God. -- Ps 37:7; 40:1. Waiting for Christ. -- 1Co 1:7; 2Th 3:5. Waiting for the hope of the gospel. -- R”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resignation — Christ set and example of -- Mt 26:39-44; Joh 12:27; 18:11. Commanded -- Ps 37:7; 46:10. Should be exhibited in Submission to the will of God. -- 2Sa 15:26; Ps 42:5,11; Mt 6:10. Submission to the sovereignty of God in his purposes. -- Ro 9:20,21. The prospect of death. -- Ac 21:13; 2Co 4:16-5:1. Loss of goods. -- Job 1:15,16,21. Loss of children. -- Job 1:18,19,21. Chastisements. -- Heb 12:9. Bodily suffering. -- Job 2:8-10. The wicked are devoid of -- Pr 19:3. Exhortation to -- Ps 37:1-11. Motives to God's greatness. -- Ps 46:10. God's love. -- Heb 12:”
- Genesis (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Genesis 19:27: Our communion with God consists in our gracious regard to him and his gracious regard to us; we have here therefore the communion that was between God and Abraham, in the event concerning Sodom, as before in the consultation concerning it, for communion with God is to be kept up in providences as well as in ordinances. I. Here is Abraham's pious regard to God in this event, in two things: - 1. A careful expectation of the event, Gen 19:27. He got up early to look towards Sodom; and, to intimate that his design herein was to see what became of his prayers, he wen”