The Sovereignty of God in Waiting and Delayed Answers
The concept of waiting on God is deeply rooted in biblical teachings, emphasizing the sovereignty of God in timing and response to human prayers and expectations. The Psalmist expresses this sentiment, saying, "My soul, wait in silence for God alone, for my expectation is from him" [2]. This waiting is not passive but an active trust in God's providence and salvation.
The biblical basis for waiting on God is multifaceted, encompassing various aspects of God's relationship with humanity. Torrey's Topical Textbook categorizes the reasons for waiting on God, including waiting for mercy, pardon, salvation, guidance, protection, and the fulfillment of His word and promises [3]. The Psalmist illustrates this, stating, "I wait for You, O LORD; You will answer, O Lord my God" [1]. This waiting is grounded in the understanding that God's timing and responses are not bound by human expectations or urgency.
Different traditions interpret the concept of waiting on God in light of God's sovereignty. According to John Gill, waiting for the Lord involves patiently and quietly awaiting His gracious presence, salvation, and the fulfillment of His promises, trusting in His gracious and merciful nature [6]. Abraham Ibn Ezra views God's waiting as an anthropomorphism, a human-like attribute ascribed to God to convey a deeper truth [7].
The act of waiting on God is also associated with the prophet's role and the community's expectation of divine intervention. In Isaiah 8:17, the prophet says, "I will wait for the Lord... and I will hope in Him," indicating a posture of trust and expectation despite the current state of judgment or hardship [8]. This waiting is not merely a personal stance but is often communal, reflecting the community's reliance on God's sovereignty.
The delay in God's response is a recurring theme, with some interpretations suggesting it is a test of sincerity and faith. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown note that Jeremiah's delay in responding to the people's inquiry was to test their willingness to obey and to allow them time to deliberate, underscoring the importance of aligning with God's timing [9].
The sovereignty of God in waiting and delayed answers underscores the complex interplay between divine providence and human expectation. It highlights the need for trust, patience, and faith in the face of uncertainty, reflecting the biblical exhortation to "wait upon God" [3, 5].
The biblical narrative presents waiting on God as an act of faith, reflecting a deep trust in God's character and timing. As the Psalmist affirms, "I have waited on the Lord: my soul hath waited, and I have trusted in his word" [4]. This trust is rooted in the understanding that God's sovereignty encompasses all aspects of life, including the timing and nature of His responses to human prayers.
Sources
- Psalms “Psalms 38:15 (BSB) — I wait for You, O LORD; You will answer, O Lord my God.”
- Psalms “My soul, wait in silence for God alone, for my expectation is from him. -- Psalms 62:5”
- 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”
- Psalms “Psalms 130:5 (Geneva1599) — I haue waited on the Lord: my soule hath waited, and I haue trusted in his worde.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer, Answers To — God gives -- Ps 99:6; 118:5; 138:3. Christ gives -- Joh 4:10,14; 14:14. Christ received -- Joh 11:42; Heb 5:7. Granted Through the grace of God. -- Isa 30:19. Sometimes immediately. -- Isa 65:24; Da 9:21,23; 10:12. Sometimes after delay. -- Lu 18:7. Sometimes differently from our desire. -- 2Co 12:8,9. Beyond expectation. -- Jer 33:3; Eph 3:20. Promised -- Isa 58:9; Jer 29:12; Mt 7:7. Promised especially in times of trouble -- Ps 50:15; 91:15. Received by those who Seek God. -- Ps 34:4. Seek God with all the heart. -- Jer 29:12,13. Wait upon God.”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 130:4: I wait for the Lord,.... For his gracious presence and the light of his countenance, being in darkness, as well as in the deep; for his salvation and deliverance out of the depths of distress; for an answer of prayer, having cried unto him for application of pardoning grace he had some view and hopes of; and for the performance of promises the Lord had made to him; and for eternal glory and happiness: all which are to be patiently and quietly waited for, God having his set time to do them; and may be confidently expected, since he is gracious and merciful, wise and p”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Isaiah 30:18: Will the Lord wait. An anthropomorphism.”
- Isaiah (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on Isaiah 8:17: Whilst offering this prayer, and looking for its fulfilment, he waits upon Jehovah. "And I wait upon Jehovah, who hides His face before the house of Jacob, and hope for Him." A time of judgment had now commenced, which would still last a long time; but the word of God was the pledge of Israel's continuance in the midst of it, and of the renewal of Israel's glory afterwards. The prophet would therefore hope for the grace which was now hidden behind the wrath.”
- Jeremiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jeremiah 42:7: ten days--Jeremiah did not speak of himself, but waited God's time and revelation, showing the reality of his inspiration. Man left to himself would have given an immediate response to the people, who were impatient of delay. The delay was designed to test the sincerity of their professed willingness to obey, and that they should have full time to deliberate (Deu 8:2). True obedience bows to God's time, as well as His way and will.”