Biblical Examples of Waiting

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT)

I love that we can look to the Bible to learn from others but also to gain encouragement. We can see from many of the Bible stories how the characters, these REAL people, were often extremely relatable and went through many of the same types of things that we endure today—maybe not identical circumstances but comparable troubles and accompanying emotions. We can see that we’re in good company. Because ALL scripture is useful for teaching us, including Bible character stories even as adults, I often use “character studies” in my lessons when teaching where we’ll explore different Bible characters that complement our current topic of study.

Today’s post comes directly from a character study worksheet I use on waiting. There are several examples in the Bible of people who had to practice waiting for various things. We’ll discuss of few of them here. I’ll also vary slightly from my typical post format and implement some “practical steps” with some questions to ponder for each character study instead of waiting to include them at the end.

Unfortunately life requires a lot of waiting

Unfortunately throughout our lives, and often on a number of occasions, we will find ourselves waiting. It’s just one of those unenjoyable life truths. A few things we could find ourselves waiting on might include (but are not limited to):

• • Healing
  • A marriage or relationship to be restored
  • Our future spouse
  • Child(ren)
  • Answers, direction, guidance, and/or purpose
  • A loved one to come to or return to God
  • Financial breakthrough
  • Promotion
  • Freedom
  • Justice
  • Change
  • Fulfillment of a dream
  • Fulfillment of a promise

Waiting can be an extremely difficult and sometimes painful process. Previously I wrote a few posts on this topic that you might also find helpful…

When You’re Waiting on God—to give some ways to wait and some encouragement throughout the process

Explanations for Why We Wait on God—to share some potential reasons behind the waiting

Scriptures for Waiting on God— to give some scriptures to focus on during the waiting periods

To supplement these posts, today’s character studies will give some additional encouragement and hopefully some relatable stories from the Bible to help and give some food for thought in the process of waiting.

Abraham was waiting for a son

Abraham had to wait on God for a son, an heir that would make him into a great nation. He had to believe with faith and have hope when there was no hope.

“But Abram replied, “O Sovereign LORD, what good are all your blessings when I don’t even have a son? Since you’ve given me no children, Eliezer of Damascus, a servant in my household, will inherit all my wealth. You have given me no descendants of my own, so one of my servants will be my heir.” Then the LORD said to him, “No, your servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son of your own who will be your heir.” Then the LORD took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!” And Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD counted him as righteous because of his faith.” Genesis 15:2-6 (NLT)

“Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!”” Romans 4:18 (NLT)

“Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born.” Genesis 21:5 (NLT)

For this reason, he is considered the Father of Faith. His story can be found starting in Genesis 12 through the birth of Isaac in Genesis 21. There is also reference to Abraham, God’s promise to him and his faith throughout the New Testament such as in Acts 7:2-8, Romans 4:18-25, Galatians 3, James 2:21-24, and Hebrews 11:8-19.

Take Some Practical Steps the Learn Waiting from Abraham:

• First, read through these passages about Abraham and how he waited on God and what his response was.

Genesis chapters 12-21

Acts 7:2-8

Romans 4:18-25

Galatians 3

James 2:21-24

Hebrews 11:8-19

• Then consider this…What can you learn from Abraham’s story that you can use in your situation(s) where you are waiting for something?
• Next consider…Do some situations seem impossible or hopeless? How should/could you wait in a seemingly hopeless situation?

Jacob was waiting for Rachel

Genesis also contains the story of Jacob, Abraham’s grandson, waiting for the woman he loved, Rachel. Jacob had to wait for his spouse. Jacob waited 7 years for Rachel only to be deceived by her father Laban. He then had to agree to work 7 more years in return for Laban, in order to be able to marry Rachel.

“Since Jacob was in love with Rachel, he told her father, “I’ll work for you for seven years if you’ll give me Rachel, your younger daughter, as my wife.”” Genesis 29:18 (NLT)

“But when Jacob woke up in the morning—it was Leah! “What have you done to me?” Jacob raged at Laban. “I worked seven years for Rachel! Why have you tricked me?” “It’s not our custom here to marry off a younger daughter ahead of the firstborn,” Laban replied. “But wait until the bridal week is over; then we’ll give you Rachel, too—provided you promise to work another seven years for me.” So Jacob agreed to work seven more years. A week after Jacob had married Leah, Laban gave him Rachel, too.” Genesis 29:25-28 (NLT)

Take Some Practical Steps the Learn Waiting from Jacob:

• First, read Genesis 29:1-30.
• Then consider this…What can you learn from Jacob’s story that you can use in your situation(s) where you are waiting on God for something?
• Next consider…Have there been times when you were waiting for something and Satan has tried to deceive you or keep you from what it was that God had for you? If so, how did you respond? Could/should you have responded differently?

Joseph was waiting for a number of things

Joseph had to wait through many troubles before he received vindication, justice and freedom, wait to see his dreams fulfilled, and wait to reunite with his family (especially his father). His story is found in Genesis 37-46.

Fortunately, Joseph was able to see justice served in his lifetime. Unfortunately, we don’t always have that same outcome when we are wronged (getting to see the consequences of our offenders), but that doesn’t mean that God is any less just or unfaithful to us. One of the things that would be unfruitful for us is to wait upon is seeing justice served. It does feel good at times to get to see people reap what they’ve sown, but that process also has the potential to grow a root of bitterness within us.

“You plotted evil against me, but God turned it into good, in order to preserve the lives of many people who are alive today because of what happened.” Genesis 50:20 (GNT)

Take Some Practical Steps the Learn Waiting from Joseph:

• First, read Genesis chapters 37-46.
• Then consider this…What can you learn from Joseph’s story that you can use in your situation(s) where you are waiting on God for something?
• Next consider…Do you find yourself, at times, waiting on God to right the wrongs done to you? In addition to the story of Joseph, what are some other reminders that God will be your vindicator? What are some instances in your life where you need to remember and take hold of this?

Mary, the mother of Jesus, was waiting for a fulfillment of the promise that her son would be the Messiah

Mary held onto a promise from God for 30 years that her child would be the Messiah (Luke 1:31-33). That’s a long time to wait patiently for a promise to be fulfilled. So how did she do it? By keeping an account. We don’t know if she just made a point to remember a treasured memory or if she actually wrote it down diary-style. Either way, Luke received it and recorded it for us to read even thousands of years later. In Luke, scripture tells us that Mary treasured things and pondered them in her heart.

“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:19 (NIV)

“Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.” Luke 2:51 (NIV)

Mary teaches us all a way of making it easier when waiting. We should hold onto God’s promises. One way of doing this is by keeping a written account–a reminder to look upon for encouragement as we wait.

Take Some Practical Steps the Learn Waiting from Mary:

• First, consider this…What do you think it meant that Mary “treasured all these things”, and what might have been the importance of that?
• Then consider…What promises has God given you to hold onto as you wait? What can you “treasure in your heart”?
• Next, write down what God tells you or talks to you about, highlight important verses, and make notes in your bible.
• Finally, remind yourself frequently of God’s promises to you. This may require you to post them somewhere where you will see them often (on a bathroom mirror, on a nightstand, on your car console, as a wallpaper on your phone or tablet, etc.)

Jesus was waiting to start his ministry, and he’s still waiting to return to us

Even Jesus had to wait. He was an adult before he was able to start his ministry/purpose and before he heard God’s voice (Matthew 3:17, Matthew 17:5, Mark 1:11, Luke 3:22, 2 Peter 1:17).

“Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his public ministry. Jesus was known as the son of Joseph. Joseph was the son of Heli.” Luke 30:23 (NLT)

“And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” Matthew 3:17 (NLT)

“But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.”” Matthew 17:5 (NLT)

“A voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.” Mark 1:11 (NLT)

“The Holy Spirit, in bodily form, descended on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.” Luke 3:22 (NLT)

“He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” 2 Peter 1:17 (NIV)

Jesus is also waiting right this very minute for the time to come to return to us.

“There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” John 14:2-3 (NLT)

“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.” Matthew 24:36 (NLT)

“So also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.” Hebrews 9:28 (NLT) 

Take Some Practical Steps the Learn Waiting from Jesus:

• First, consider this…What can you learn from how Jesus waited and is still waiting now?
• Then consider…How can you trust God’s timing in His purpose for you and your life?

Are there any Bible stories that come to your mind on the topic of waiting, or are there any other biblical examples that give you encouragement in this area? Share it with us by leaving a comment below. You never know who you might help!

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If you know anyone that could benefit from this, please pay it forward!  Share this post via the sharing links below.  “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)