What does the Bible say about waiting upon God?

Is waiting upon God biblical?


There are some teachings which we will at once say, "This is what we are suppose to do." But the fact is, we have never even looked over the biblical support for what we are doing or even asking others to do! Let us now do that with the phase 'waiting for God." We have two questions.
•What does the Bible say about waiting on God?

•What does it practically mean? What does the Bible say about waiting on God?

First of all we should recognize that there are many things people wait for in the scriptures. We see them waiting for some person or for the salvation of God. We will use some of these other usages to help define what it means to actually wait upon God.
In this section, however, we are focusing only on those verses that instruct us by example or precept that we ought to wait upon the Lord. Let's look at forty plus times the words 'waiting' upon God is used. The total list is at the bottom.
Firstly, we see that the phrase or notion of waiting upon God was new from David's time onward. The Psalms use it about 25 times while Isaiah 11 times. The other prophets scarcely used it. The NT follows that trend by rarely using the phrase 'wait upon.'
The phrase seems to have originated with David. He not only experienced great difficulty in his life but discovered that he could wait upon God for help. This is not to say Abraham didn't wait for a son or Moses for help for his people, but the thought wasn't so fully developed. Besides this, a depth of spiritual life could be expressed in the Psalms.
They enable us to look at a person's inner life. The historical biblical books just didn't describe this inner life experience. They looked at outward events rather than inward thoughts. The prophets at times did focus on the turmoil of the person, especially Isaiah and so we see this phrase scattered through these books.
The NT only uses the phrase referring to the second coming of Jesus. However, the phrase 'believe in' is very common, such as 'believe in the Lord.' But the meaning and emphasis of 'believe in' is quite different than 'waiting upon.' Believe and trust emphasize the confidence and faith in an object.
'Waiting for' definitely exudes this sense of confidence, but it is more than this. 'Waiting for' focuses on the sense of expectation one has on the object. When one 'waits on the Lord,' a person is dependent upon that person or something that the person will do. Below are the four major Hebrew words for 'waiting for.' Let's look at the ways the scriptures describe how God's people waited upon their Creator.
Wait for Thee (Thee refers to God, Lord).

Ps 25:3 Indeed, none of those who wait for Thee will be ashamed; Ps 25:5 Lead me in Thy truth and teach me, For Thou art the God of my salvation; For Thee I wait all the day.

Ps 25:21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, For I wait for Thee.
Wait for the LORD ( refers to Yahweh).Ps 27:14 Wait for the LORD; Be strong, and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.

Ps 33:20 Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield.

Ps 37:7 Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.

Ps 37:9 For evildoers will be cut off, But those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land.

Ps 37:34 Wait for the LORD, and keep His way, And He will exalt you to inherit the land; When the wicked are cut off, you will see it.

Pr 20:22 Do not say, "I will repay evil"; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you.

Isa 8:17 And I will wait for the LORD who is hiding His face from the house of Jacob; I will even look eagerly for Him.

Isa 40:31 Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.

Wait ... (for Thy Name, God, Him, etc.)Ps 52:9 I will give Thee thanks forever, because Thou hast done it, And I will wait on Thy name, for it is good, in the presence of Thy godly ones.

Isa 49:23 And you will know that I am the LORD; Those who hopefully wait for Me will not be put to shame.

Isa 64:4 For from of old they have not heard nor perceived by ear, Neither has the eye seen a God besides Thee, Who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him.

La 3:25 The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him.

Ho 12:6 Therefore, return to your God, Observe kindness and justice, And wait for your God continually.

Mic 7:7 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.

Zep 3:8 "Therefore, wait for Me," declares the LORD, "For the day when I rise up to the prey...
New Testament and Waiting upon the Lord

Php 3:20* For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;

1Th 1:10* and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.

What does wait upon God practically mean?

We have focused on waiting on God or the Lord above. But we must realize as these following verses indicate that they are waiting upon the Lord for something. Belief speaks about trust in. Waiting, however, usually focuses on some one to do something. In this case, they are waiting upon God to do some special thing. Let's take a look at a few verses below.

The Text The Phrase the Purpose

Isaiah 25:9 we have waited that He might save us

Psalm 104:27 They all wait for Thee To give them their food in due season

Psalm 106:13 They did not wait for His counsel

Psalm 119:43 For I wait for Thine ordinances

Psalm 119:81 I wait for Thy word

Isaiah 42:4 the coastlands will wait expectantly for His law

Lamentation 3:26 he waits silently For the salvation of the LORD

Genesis 49:18 I wait ... O LORD For Thy salvation

Jude 1:21 waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ
When we wait upon the Lord, we find ourselves looking to Him to help for some specific need. There is a conscious expectation that He will help us out in that special need. We do not have control over the circumstances and therefore are looking to His provisions, His protection, etc. In each case, though, it is good to notice our special need, recognize that He can help us in that area and then cast our hope in Him.
Waiting upon God is not only biblical but a necessary part of the Christian life for the growing Christian. "Wait for" is an active display of faith in God during impossible situations.

Overcoming Guilt, Key to Powerful Living:

Overcoming Guilt, Key to Powerful Living:
(Rom 8:31 KJV) What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
(Rom 8:37 KJV) Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

This sounds great but what can keep us from Powerful Living?

The answer is GUILT!
But is Guilt all bad? It can be positive.

Guilt can be a merciless taskmaster that drives us far from God. Or, guilt can gently lead us back to a right relationship with Him, more fully convinced than ever of the Father's love. How we respond to guilt today can determine our success in life for years to come. It can even determine where we will spend eternity.

I. Listening To Our Guilt
    A. The Bible says we are created in God's image and His glory.
        1. This wonderful privilege of bearing His image also requires that we live righteous lives.
            a. When we do something wrong, an alarm goes off: we feel guilty.
            b. Sin separates us from God.
    B. It is important to listen carefully to your guilt.
        1.Listen to your heart. (This is the spirit man.)
            a. Determine to find out what's causing your guilty conscience.

II. Guilty As Charged(Rom 3:23 KJV) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; All of us have sinned and has only been one and that person is Jesus.
    A. Guilt can arise from things we say and do that directly violate God's law. Even if we are not familiar with a specific Bible passage, God has given us a law that is written on our hearts and helps us know when we have sinned (Rom 2:15 KJV) Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
    B. True guilt is God's way of warning us to repent and turn away from our sins so He can forgive us, cleanse us and make us entirely guilt-free. Another passage says, "the Scripture has shut up all men under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe" (Gal. 3:22).
    C. Guilt is a fact of life because sin is a fact of life. And our sin has the consequences of death (Rom 3:23 KJV) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Rom 6:23 KJV) For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
    D. God has made a way to break free from our sin and guilt. . (John 8:36 KJV) If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

III. God's Answer For Guilt is coming to Jesus. (John 6:44 KJV) No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
(John 6:45 KJV) It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
(John 14:6 KJV) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
(Rom 8:28 KJV) And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
(Rom 8:29 KJV) For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
    A. God works through everything that happens in our lives, including guilt, to draw us to Jesus No matter what you have done, God has made a way home - through His Son, Jesus Christ.
    B. All you have to do is repent an turn your life over to Jesus (Acts 3:19 KJV) Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
        1. This is what the Bible calls being "born again" of the Spirit of God (John 3:3,5).

IV. Guilt-Free Living This is God’s Will for all of us.
This cleansing is not just a one-time event. Every time the Holy Spirit prompts our spirit that we have sinned, we can return to His throne of grace to receive mercy (Heb 4:16 KJV) Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
(1 John 1:7 KJV) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
(1 John 1:8 KJV) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
(1 John 1:9 KJV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

V. Taking On The Accuser
At times, the enemy of our soul, Satan, uses guilt to keep us from the Lord.
    A. The Bible describes Satan as the "accuser of the brethren" who appears before God day and night with accusations against believers (Rev 12:10 KJV) And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. Thus, "there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1).
    B. Confront the accusations with God's Word. As Jesus said, "If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed" (John 8:36). Walk in that freedom.

VI. As You Pray Fully accept God's forgiveness and cleansing:
(Remember the Lord’s Prayer, “forgive us as we forgive others”.

VII. God's Word On Guilt says:
"Since therefore, brethren, we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is His flesh, ... let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water." (Heb. 10:19,20,22)
    A. God's faithfulness to forgive 1 John 1:9 KJV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
    B. No remembrance of sin (Jer 31:34 KJV) And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
        1. When God forgives He forgets!
    C. Belief in Christ delivers from sin (John 1:12 KJV) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 5:24 KJV) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life
    D. Freedom from sin and guilt
(Rom 6:18 KJV) Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
(Rom 6:22 KJV) But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
(Rom 8:1 KJV) There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

The Names of the Antichrist!

The Names of the Antichrist!
Here is a list of some of the names of the Antichrist in the Bible. He is called by many names but no matter what he is called, he has been defeated by the blood, life, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ! We must be weary because of that day no one on earth knows the day and hour of our Lord Jesus Christ. The antichrist will be reveled before that great and knowable day of our Lord.

- 2 Th 2:1 (KJV) Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
- 2 Th 2:2 (KJV) That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
- 2 Th 2:3 (KJV) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
- 2 Th 2:4 (KJV) Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
- 2 Th 2:5 (KJV) Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
- 2 Th 2:6 (KJV) And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
- 2 Th 2:7 (KJV) For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
- 2 Th 2:8 (KJV) And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

1. The Bloody and Deceitful man.
- Psalms 5:6 (KJV) Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.

2. The Wicked One.
- Psalms 10:3-4 (KJV) 3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth. 4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.

3. The Man of the Earth.
- Psalms 10:18 (KJV) To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.

4. The Mighty Man.
- Psalms 52:1 (KJV) Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.

5. The Enemy.
- Psalms 55:3 (KJV) Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.

6. The Adversary.
- Psalms 74:10 (KJV) O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever?

7. The Violent Man.
- Psalms 140:1 (KJV) Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;

8. The Spoiler.
- Isaiah 16:4 Let mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab; be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler: for the extortioner is at an end, the spoiler ceaseth, the oppressors are consumed out of the land.

9. The Profane and Wicked Prince.
- Ezekiel 21:25 And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end,

10. The Little Horn.
- Daniel 7:8 (KJV) I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.

11. The Prince that Shall come.
- Daniel 9:26 (KJV) And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

12. The Vile Person.
- Daniel 11:21 (KJV) And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.

13. The Willful King.
- Daniel 11:36 (KJV) And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.

14. The Man of Sin.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:3 (KJV) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

15. The Son of Perdition.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:3 (KJV) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

16. The Lawless One.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:9 (KJV) Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

17. The Antichrist.
- 1 John 2:22 (KJV) Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

18. The Beast.
- Revelation 11:7 (KJV) And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
- Revelation 13:1 (KJV) And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

Some other names:
- “The dragon" or "the old serpent" in Revelation 12:9, and 20:2
-"the prince of this world" in John 12:31, 14:30;
- "the prince of the power of the air" and "the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience" in Ephesians 2:2;
-"the god of this world" in 2 Corinthians 4:4..
- the dragon in Revelation Rev. 12:9 and the tempter in Mat. 4:1

Beelzebub is originally the name of a Philistine god (more specifically a certain type of Baal, from Ba‘al Zebûb, lit. "Lord of Flies") but is also used in the New Testament as a synonym for Satan.

The Devil's most beautiful ruse is to convince us that he does not exist. Pierre Baudelaire.

So the antichrist will deceive the nations and if possible would like to deceive even the elect.
- Mark 13:19 (KJV) For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation, which God created unto this time, neither shall be.
- Mark 13:20 (KJV) And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.
- Mark 13:21 (KJV) And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:
- Mark 13:22 (KJV) For false Christ's and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
- Mark 13:23 (KJV) But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

We do not have to worry because we are Children of God if we have opened our heart and life to the person of Jesus Christ.
- 1 Thes 5:5 (KJV) Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

We must continue to serve the Lord and be people of prayer and of the Word. I like what S. D. Gordon wrote. "It is startling to think that Satan can actually come into the heart of a man in such close touch with Jesus as Judas was. And more--he is cunningly trying to do it today. Yet he can get in only through a door opened from the inside. "Every man controls the door of his own life." Satan can't get in without our help."

SEVEN DANGERS TO MINISTRY

SEVEN DANGERS TO MINISTRYLuke 9:1-12
1. Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
2. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
3. And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.
4. And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.
5. And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.
6. And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.
All believer are called to some type of ministry. However, no matter if we are a ministry or a layman there are dangers that we face. If we will guard against these dangers we can overcome. I am listing seven of the most common dangers we face, yet, they can slip into the most spiritual ministry if we are not on guard. This outline lists what I have myself tried to guard against in almost 50 years of ministry to the world. The dangers are not confined to just North America, I have seen them all over the world.

I. THE FIRST DANGER IS THAT VISION IS LOST OR IT FADES.Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
  A. We must always keep a vision for the lost.
    1 With out it the Word says we will perish.
  B. For people in need.
    1. The Church is not a new building. The Church is the people. The Spirit of God lives with in His people.
    2. If we do the Will of God, we must keep His Word.

II. DANGER NUMBER TWO IS THAT WE SLUMBER AND SLEEP,Luke 9:32 But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
  A. We can slumber spiritually when God's Work become routine.
    1. We have everything planned in our services and leave no place for the leading of the Holy Spirit.
  B. We start taking God and His blessings for granted.
  C. We overcome by watching and praying.
  (Mat 26:41 KJV) Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
  (Mark 13:33 KJV) Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

III. THERE IS THE DANGER OF MAKING THE MINISTRY PROFESSIONAL.
  A. We must guard against making our ministry a form. (2 Tim 3:5 KJV) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
  B. The ministry is not a job.
    1. The ministry is a calling.
      a. It is a high calling. (Rom 11:29 KJV) For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
      b. It is a life long calling.

IV. DANGER NUMBER FOUR IS PRIDE. I John 2:15-17
15. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
  A. We must guard against this. I remember what I learned from an early mentor of mine that always give the Glory to God, as God will not share His Glory with anyone.
  B. Also one of my first pastors counseling me said without thinking, Tony, one thing I am proud of is that I have remained humble all through my ministry. I know what he meant as he was really a very humble brother.
  C. Jesus humbled Himself like not man has ever done. (Phil 2:8 KJV) And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
    1. He is our perfect example.

V. WE MUST GUARD AGAINST JEALOUSY AND ENVY.
  A. We must not envy other ministries. We must be only faithful in what God has called us to do.
    1. God's measure for greatest is not how much or how many. It is how faithful we are with what He gives us to do.
    2. Remember what happen with Aaron and Miriam.

VI. THERE IS ALWAYS THE DANGER OF REBELLION.
  A. We must always keep a good spirit.
  B. We must guard against a wrong spirit.
  (Eph 4:32 KJV) And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
  C. God hates rebellion. (1 Sam 15:23 KJV) For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry...

VII. DANGER NUMBER SEVEN IS THAT WE MUST GUARD AGAINIST EXALTING OURSELVES.
  A. We must always strive in our ministries to life up Jesus.
    1. We need people to see Jesus and not us. Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
    (Mat 23:12 KJV) And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
    (1 Pet 5:6 KJV) Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
    We want on that last day, when all the books are opened, to hear Him say "Well done good and faithful servant."