Introduction
When you’re impatient, the Bible is a great place to look for examples of waiting. After all, the Bible is full of stories of people who had to wait.
Some people had to wait a long time, while others only had to wait a short while. But in every case, the people who waited learned something important about patience.
In this article, we’ll take a look at a few examples of waiting from the Bible. We’ll explore what these examples can teach us about patience and how we can apply them to our lives.
Abraham: An Example of Faithful Waiting
When you think of patience, what person comes to mind? For a lot of people, Abraham is the epitome of patience. He waited decades for the promise of a child.
But it’s not just Abraham’s long-term waiting that makes him an example of patience. It’s also his attitude during that time. He didn’t give up on God; he trusted that God would keep His promise. And even when things got tough, he didn’t waver in his faith.
Patience is being willing to wait without getting angry or frustrated. Abraham displayed this type of patience throughout his journey, and we can learn from him by studying his example.
David: An Example of Persevering While Waiting
David is one of the most famous examples of persevering while waiting. He waited years for God to give him the kingdom he was promised, and in the meantime, he continued to serve faithfully.
David is also an example of how to handle anxiety and stress. He didn’t let his circumstances get the best of him; instead, he focused on God’s promises and believed that God was working behind the scenes.
Waiting isn’t easy, but we can endure any trial life throws with faith and patience.
Joseph: An Example of Relying on God While Waiting
When Joseph found out he would be sold into slavery, he didn’t worry. He didn’t panic. He relied on God to guide his steps, even when things looked dark.
“The Lord was with Joseph, and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master.” (Genesis 39:2)
Joseph could have freaked out. He could have lashed out at God or others. But instead, he chose to trust in the Lord. Joseph is an example of what waiting can look like when we trust God.
Ruth: An Example of Persistent Patient Waiting
The book of Ruth provides us with one of the most inspiring examples of patient waiting recorded in scripture. Ruth was a Moabite woman who, after the death of her husband, decided to follow her mother-in-law, Naomi, back to Israel.
At the time, Ruth was in a very precarious situation—she had lost her husband, she was not an Israelite and, since Naomi had no sons of her own, Ruth had no one to protect her. Yet, despite all this danger and uncertainty, Ruth remained patient and faithful to God.
Ruth’s faithfulness paid off—after many months of waiting, she married Boaz and became an ancestor of Jesus Christ. Her story is an excellent reminder that when we put our faith in God and remain patient even in difficult times, he will provide for us in His sweet time.
Mary and Elizabeth: An Example of Expectant Waiting
Another great example of waiting in the Bible is the story of Mary and Elizabeth. An angel told Mary that she would have a baby and the child would be the Son of God. She then visited her relative Elizabeth, who was also carrying a child, despite being old and sterile. This story is an example of expectant waiting—waiting with anticipation and faith for something, even if it seems impossible.
When Mary arrived at Elizabeth’s home, the baby leaped while in Elizabeth’s womb, a sign from God that He had heard the prayers of both women. Through this example, we can see that we need to practice patience through faith, knowing that God will answer our prayers in His own time. Patience requires us to wait with hope and trust that He will fulfill His promises when He is ready.
Jesus: An Example of Resolute Waiting
Recognizing Jesus as an example of patience can be a helpful way to reflect on our striving to become more patient. As we read in the Gospel of John, Jesus served humbly in the face of opposition without retaliating (John 8:59). We read further in Luke that Jesus “set his face to go to Jerusalem,” knowing what was coming (Luke 9:51).
John 16 records Jesus telling his disciples that he had much more to tell them, but they could not handle it. Then he mentioned the coming Holy Spirit and said, “but you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you” (John 14:17). Jesus reassured them that through the Holy Spirit, they could withstand opposition.
Though Jesus knew the mission ahead would lead to tremendous anguish and loneliness, he practiced submission and yielded himself unwaveringly to God’s will. His example reminds us that though we are human and prone to impatience or retribution, with God’s help, there is hope for patience and waiting with a humble heart—just as Jesus did.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Bible is filled with examples of waiting that can be applied to our lives. Sometimes waiting is difficult, but it is always worth it. We can find strength and peace in the Lord while we wait for His promises to come true.