Faith's Reward: Waiting For The Unseen

Waiting is an inevitable part of life, and it can be challenging to maintain faith during these periods. However, the Bible talks about waiting for a reason—it is an active process that cultivates good fruits such as patience, perseverance, and endurance, drawing us closer to God. Waiting strategically and with faith can help us grow stronger and mature in our spiritual journey. It is a test of our faith and trust in God, and He will act on behalf of those who wait for Him.

The Bible provides many examples of waiting with faith, such as Abraham and Sarah, who waited 25 years for God's promise to be fulfilled, and Joseph, who endured highs and lows but never lost faith. God's timing is perfect, and He uses the waiting period to prepare and strengthen us.

Waiting with faith involves believing that God will bring about a solution and trusting in His character, love, and grace. It can be a time of growth, maturity, and reflection on God's former faithfulness. We can put our hope in His Word and trust in His plan, even when faced with delays and uncertainties.

While waiting, we can actively participate in God's work by seeking Him, obeying His commandments, and boldly taking initiative when necessary. It is a balance of being patient and watchful, knowing when to wait passively and when to take bold steps forward. Ultimately, waiting with faith is an evidence of our spiritual maturity and a testament to our trust in God's perfect timing and plan for our lives.

Waiting is evidence of faith

Waiting is hard work and can test our faith. It can be especially challenging when there are no guarantees that our waiting will pay off in this lifetime. However, waiting is an essential part of faith, and spiritual maturity is the ability to wait.

The Bible is filled with stories of people who had to wait on God, such as Abraham, who waited 25 years between hearing God's promise and its fulfilment. The Israelites also waited 400 years to be freed from slavery in Egypt, and even after Moses arrived, they had to wait another 80 years. These examples show that God's timing is perfect and that waiting is often a crucial part of His plan.

Waiting on God requires patience, and our patience with God stems from our faith in Him. The more we trust and believe in someone, the more patient we can be. Faith and patience are intertwined in the Bible, with Revelation 13:10 linking "the patience and the faith of the saints." James also says, "faith produces patience," and God strengthens our faith by testing it.

Waiting on God can be an active process. We can participate in the work He desires to accomplish, and strategic waiting can cultivate good fruit, such as endurance and perseverance. While waiting, we can put our hope in God's Word, trust in Him, and continue steadfastly in prayer.

Waiting also allows us to feel our need for God deeply and exposes who or what we depend on. It provides an opportunity for growth and maturity and allows us to savour unique moments that we might have missed if we had rushed ahead.

So, when facing challenges or uncertainties, remember that waiting is evidence of your faith. Embrace the process, trust in God's timing, and actively seek Him while you wait.

Patience and faith are intertwined

Waiting is a challenge for many, and it can be a test of faith. However, the Bible talks a lot about waiting, and it is clear that waiting is an active process, not a passive one. It is a time to cultivate patience, perseverance, and endurance, and it draws us closer to God.

Waiting on God is an act of faith. It is a recognition that God's timing is perfect, and we don't want to get ahead of or lag behind His plan for us. Abraham, the father of faith, waited for twenty-five years between God's promise and its fulfilment (Genesis 12:4; 21:5). He waited patiently, and his faith grew stronger as the years went by (Romans 4:20). Like Abraham, we too are called to wait on God and trust in His perfect timing.

Waiting on God is not always easy, and it can feel like a wilderness experience. However, even in the wilderness, God provides. He is faithful, and He will not forget us. We can look back at His past faithfulness, hold on to His promises, and trust that He will fulfil them in His time.

While we wait, we are not passive. We continue to seek God, obey His commandments, and actively participate in the work He has called us to do. We can put our hope in His Word, trust in Him, and choose patience. We can be strong and courageous, knowing that He is with us and that He will give us strength.

In conclusion, patience and faith are indeed intertwined. Our patience with God is born out of our faith in Him, and as we wait on Him, our faith is strengthened. Waiting on God is an active process, and it is an integral part of our journey with Him.

Waiting strategically cultivates good fruit

Waiting is a strategic act of faith that cultivates good fruit in our lives. It is an active process that requires patience, perseverance, and endurance. By waiting, we draw closer to God and deepen our connection with the divine.

Waiting is not passive; it is a time of introspection and active faith. It strengthens our faith and helps us appreciate the blessings that come our way. It teaches us to trust in God's timing and reveals His faithfulness in ways that immediate answers would not.

Waiting on God's promises can be challenging, and we may encounter His deafening silence. However, this silence can be a powerful tool for self-reflection. It allows us to focus on our inner voice and strengthen our connection with the divine.

The Bible is filled with examples of faithful followers who had to wait, such as Abraham, Joseph, and Moses. Their stories teach us that waiting builds long-suffering, patience, and perseverance.

Waiting strategically cultivates the fruit of delayed gratification and amplified appreciation. The longer we wait, the sweeter the reward. When our prayers are finally answered, our joy and gratitude are magnified.

Waiting also teaches us to find joy in the most difficult times. We can choose to embrace waiting with a positive attitude, trusting in God's timing. It is an opportunity to grow in wisdom and gain insights that we wouldn't have otherwise received.

As we wait, we must continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful and thankful. We must put our hope in God's Word and trust in His understanding, knowing that He has a plan for us.

Waiting strategically cultivates the fruit of patience, endurance, and a deeper connection with God. It prepares us for the blessings ahead and helps us grow in faith and character.

Waiting is an opportunity to experience God's goodness

Waiting is a common pattern in our lives. We wait for graduation, for work, for a partner, for a trip, for the next big thing. Waiting can feel like a massive speed bump that kills our momentum and drive. But waiting is not a pattern unique to us. Every Christian's life is woven with spiritual, mental, and physical waiting. Waiting for God to provide, guide, move, heal, direct, answer, and reveal.

Waiting is a forced lesson in patience. We have no choice but to be patient. We can either fight it or embrace it. Patience means faithfully trusting in the Lord's timing, not our own.

Waiting is also an opportunity to actively participate in the work God desires to accomplish. Waiting strategically can cultivate good fruit in our lives, such as patience, perseverance, and endurance. It draws us closer to our Savior and points others to the gospel.

• Believe that the God who saved you hears your cries (Micah 7:7).
• Watch with expectancy, but be prepared for unexpected answers (Psalm 5:3).
• Put your hope in God's Word, not in things that may disappoint you (Psalm 130:5-6).
• Trust in the Lord, not in your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6).
• Refrain from anger, be still, and choose patience (Psalm 37:7-8).
• Be strong and take courage (Psalm 27:13-14; 31:24).
• See waiting as an opportunity to experience God's goodness (Psalm 27:13; Lamentations 3:25).
• Wait for God's promise instead of going your own way (Acts 1:4).
• Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful with thanksgiving (Colossians 4:2).
• Remember the blessings yet to come (Isaiah 30:18).

Waiting is not passive. It is an active process of trusting and participating in God's work. It is a time to draw closer to God and to be changed and prepared for what lies ahead.

Waiting is a chance to grow in humility

Waiting is an opportunity to grow in humility. It is a chance to surrender our own agendas and embrace God's plans for us. We learn to wholly rely on God and recognise that we are not in control.

Waiting can be a test of our faith, and it is often difficult when there are no guarantees that our waiting will end. However, it is in these moments of waiting that we can actively participate in the work God desires to accomplish.

Waiting can cultivate good fruit in our lives, such as patience, perseverance, and endurance. It also draws us closer to our Saviour and points others to the gospel. Waiting is a time of preparation and growth, where God wants us to be ready to succeed in the season ahead.

We can grow in humility during seasons of waiting by seeking clarity and direction from God, aligning our desires with His will, and learning to appreciate the blessings He has given us. We can also use this time to reflect on God's former faithfulness and the promises He has made to us.

Ultimately, Jesus is the perfect example of humility, and by following His example, we can grow in this precious virtue.

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