BEREAN.AI ← Ask a Question

Waiting on God for Direction in Decision Making

Biblical Foundations for Waiting on God

The concept of waiting on God for direction in decision making is deeply rooted in biblical teachings. The Psalmist expresses this sentiment in Psalms 130:5, stating, "I wait for the LORD; my soul does wait, and in His word I put my hope" [1]. This verse highlights the importance of patience and trust in God's word when seeking guidance.

Characteristics of Waiting on God

Waiting on God involves several key characteristics, including patience, trust, and obedience. Sirach 2:3 advises, "Wait on God with patience: join thyself to God, and endure, that thy life may be increased in the latter end" [2]. This passage emphasizes the need for perseverance and commitment to God during times of waiting. Psalms 27:14 further encourages believers to "wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD" [3]. The repetition of "wait patiently" underscores the importance of persistence in one's faith.

Biblical Examples and Interpretations

The biblical narrative provides numerous examples of individuals waiting on God for guidance. In Genesis 24, Abraham's servant seeks a sign from God to identify the suitable wife for Isaac, demonstrating a rational and pious approach to decision making [12]. According to Adam Clarke, the servant's prayer "puts his prayer upon such a discreet, rational footing, as to be a proper example for all to imitate who would not tempt the providence of God" [12].

The Psalms offer various interpretations of waiting on God. Matthew Henry notes that David's exhortation to "wait upon God" is a counsel to all people, emphasizing that there is enough in God for all the saints to draw from [7]. John Gill's commentary on Psalms 62:5 highlights the importance of acquiescing in God's providences and resting in Him patiently and quietly [8].

Theological Perspectives

Different Christian traditions have understood the concept of waiting on God in various ways. The Nonconformist/Puritan tradition, represented by Matthew Henry, emphasizes the need for patience and trust in God's sovereignty [7, 9, 10]. The Baptist/Reformed tradition, as seen in John Gill's commentary, also stresses the importance of waiting on God, particularly in the context of redemption and salvation [8, 11].

Practical Applications

The practice of waiting on God has practical implications for decision making. Torrey's Topical Textbook lists "Guidance and teaching" as one of the aspects for which believers should wait upon God [5]. This waiting involves seeking God's direction and being open to His guidance. As Psalms 5:8 indicates, God guides those who are obedient, submissive, and patient in waiting for Him to lead, provide, and protect them [6].

The biblical concept of waiting on God for direction in decision making is characterized by patience, trust, and obedience. Through various biblical examples and interpretations, it is clear that waiting on God is a vital aspect of the Christian faith, influencing how believers approach decision making and navigate life's challenges. As Micah 7:7 states, "But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me" [4].

Sources

  1. Psalms “Psalms 130:5 (BSB) — I wait for the LORD; my soul does wait, and in His word I put my hope.”
  2. Sirach “Sirach 2:3 (DRC) — Wait on God with patience: join thyself to God, and endure, that thy life may be increased in the latter end.”
  3. Psalms “Psalms 27:14 (BSB) — Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!”
  4. Micah “Micah 7:7 (NASB) — But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.”
  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”
  6. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 5:8: 5:8 God guides those who are obedient, submissive, and patient in waiting for him to lead, provide, and protect them (27:11; 43:3; 143:10), not those who expect God simply to endorse their own decisions. • Following the right path of wisdom leads to the Lord (27:11; 61:2; 139:24).”
  7. Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 62:8: Here we have David's exhortation to others to trust in God and wait upon him, as he had done. Those that have found the comfort of the ways of God themselves will invite others into those ways; there is enough in God for all the saints to draw from, and we shall have never the less for others sharing with us. I. He counsels all to wait upon God, as he did, Psa 62:8. Observe, 1. To whom he gives this good counsel: You people (that is, all people); all shall be welcome to trust in God, for he is the confidence of all the ends of the earth, Psa 65:5. You people of th”
  8. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 62:5: My soul, wait thou only upon God,.... Be silent and subject to him, acquiesce in his providences, rest in him patiently and quietly, wait for his salvation; See Gill on Psa 62:1; perhaps some new temptation might arise, and David's soul began to be uneasy and impatient; for frames are very changeable things; and therefore he encourages it to be still and quiet, and patiently wait on the Lord, and on him only: for my expectation is from him; or "my hope", as the Targum; the grace of hope is from the Lord, and the thing hoped for is from him; he is the author and the ”
  9. Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 130:5: Here, I. The psalmist engages himself to trust in God and to wait for him, Psa 130:5, Psa 130:6. Observe, 1. His dependence upon God, expressed in a climax, it being a a song of degrees, or ascents: "I wait for the Lord; from him I expect relief and comfort, believing it will come, longing till it does come, but patiently bearing the delay of it, and resolving to look for it from no other hand. My soul doth wait; I wait for him in sincerity, and not in profession only. I am an expectant, and it is for the Lord that my soul waits, for the gifts of his grace and th”
  10. Habakkuk (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Habakkuk 2:1: Here, I. The prophet humbly gives his attendance upon God (Hab 2:1): "I will stand upon my watch, as a sentinel on the walls of a besieged city, or on the borders of an invaded country, that is very solicitous to gain intelligence. I will look up, will look round, will look within, and watch to see what he will say unto me, will listen attentively to the words of his mouth and carefully observe the steps of his providence, that I may not lose the least hint of instruction or direction. I will watch to see what he will say in me" (so it may be read), "what the Spi”
  11. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 69:6: Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord God of hosts, be ashamed for my sake,.... Of their expectation of redemption and salvation by the Messiah, they have been waiting upon the Lord for; when they shall see him in suffering circumstances, and even dead and laid in the grave, without any hope of his rising again; which was the case of the two disciples travelling to Emmaus, Luk 24:19; whose trust in him, and expectation of him, as the Redeemer of Israel, were almost gone. The people of God, and believers in Christ, are described by such that "wait on the Lord"; for th”
  12. Genesis (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Genesis 24:12: And he said, O Lord God, etc. - "The conduct of this servant," says Dr. Dodd, "appears no less pious than rational. By supplicating for a sign, he acknowledges God to be the great superintendent and director of the universe, and of that event in particular; and at the same time, by asking a natural sign, such as betokened humanity, condescension, and other qualities which promised a discreet and virtuous wife, he puts his prayer upon such a discreet, rational footing, as to be a proper example for all to imitate who would not tempt the providence of God, by expect”
Ask Your Own Question