Do you ever question God’s timing? Sure, God knows everything (1 John 3:20) before it even happens (Isaiah 46:10). He has planned out all the days of our lives (Psalm 139:16), and makes everything beautiful in its time (Ecclesiastes 3:11). But, you might think, isn’t now the right time? Why can’t that situation in your life be resolved now? That thing you’ve been not-so-patiently waiting for your whole life—why has it not happened yet? With our limited human understanding, it can be tempting to think that God has forgotten you or wonder if He really has your best interests in mind.
Perhaps that’s why the Bible has so many encouraging verses about waiting. God’s Word describes waiting as a positive thing. Waiting allows us to acknowledge the all-sufficient power of God. It requires us to rest and trust in God’s goodness, drawing our strength from Him. Waiting is not a passive exercise; it involves an active expectation that God will have all things work together for our good (Romans 8:28) and an active preparation for the day God will return (James 5:7).
As you wait, here are 15 verses you can study and meditate on:
- “Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.” (Psalm 33:20-22)
- “I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.” (Psalm 40:1-3)
- “But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.” (Micah 7:7)
- “For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.” (Psalm 62:1)
- “‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’ The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” (Lamentations 3:24-26)
- “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
- “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.” (Psalm 130:5-6)
- “Do not say, ‘I will repay evil’; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.” (Proverbs 20:22)
- “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.” (Psalm 37:7-9)
- “but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)
- “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14)
- “being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy;” (Colossians 1:11)
- “The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.” (Lamentations 3:25)
- “Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.” (Isaiah 30:18)
- “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” (James 5:7-8)
In addition to these verses about waiting, consider checking out our other “15 Verses” lists on inner peace, control, joy, humility, or anxiety.
