Hope and Waiting on God

Hope and Waiting on God

Hope and waiting or enduring often go hand in hand in the Christian faith. The Bible repeatedly encourages believers to place their trust in God and wait on His perfect timing. Though waiting can be difficult, it is in the waiting that faith is strengthened and spiritual endurance is built.

Biblical Foundations of Hope

Hope, in a biblical sense, is not a vague wish for good things to happen but a confident expectation based on God's promises and faith. Faith exists hope (Hebrews 11:1). As we await the fullness of our salvation, the redemption of the body, the Spirit testifies within that we will be set free, from this corrupt body, into the glorious freedom as children of God. And though we can not see it, in this hope we are being saved (Romans 8:22-26). Hope is not hope if it is seen, thus faith sees that which is unseen, and if we hope for that which is not seen we expect it, waiting through endurance.

Scripture reminds us that hope is an expectation of that to come:

"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." — Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

This verse illustrates the sustaining power of hope placed in God. Waiting on Him should not lead to despair but to renewed strength and perseverance.

Paul also emphasizes hope in his letter to the Romans:

"And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." — Romans 5:5 (NIV)

Here, Paul assures that hope in God is never misplaced or disappointing because it is grounded in His unfailing love.

Why We Wait On The Lord

Waiting is an act of faith—choosing to trust God’s timing rather than rushing ahead with personal plans. We hear often "take a leap of faith." But we should add if you are confident that is God's will, because we read sometimes faith is waiting on God. James explains that works act together with faith, "do you see, that his faith energized his works and from his works his faith matured?" (James 2:22). Just as Paul explains love energizes our faith, thus faith without love is nothing.

The Bible provides many examples of faithful individuals who endured seasons of waiting and were ultimately rewarded by God’s faithfulness.

King David, for instance, understood the value of waiting on the Lord. In the Psalms, he writes:

"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." — Psalm 27:14 (NIV)

David’s life was full of trials, yet he continually relied on God’s timing, knowing that the Lord was his source of strength and deliverance.

Another powerful example is found in the life of Abraham. He waited decades for God’s promise of a son to be fulfilled. Despite the long wait, Abraham held onto faith:

"Yet he did not judge according to unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith giving glory to God." — Romans 4:20

Abraham’s trust demonstrates that waiting on God requires persistence and belief in His promises, even when circumstances suggest otherwise.

The Foundation of Our Hope

Jesus is our living hope because He conquered death and rose again. His death and resurrection is the defining moment which assures believers of victory over sin and eternal life in Him.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." — 1 Peter 1:3 (NIV)

This verse emphasizes that our hope is not based on human effort or earthly circumstances but on God’s mercy. In the new covenant we are born a new of the Spirit. Paul prays that God would grant us a spirit of wisdom and revelation, of the hope of our calling as God's children and of his inner power, the same that raised Jesus from the dead available to us (Ephesians 1:16-21). Through Christ, we are given new life and a future filled with promise.

Hope in Times of Trials

Life is full of challenges, but Jesus remains the anchor of our hope amid hardships. When we face suffering or uncertainty, we can hold onto Him, knowing He is faithful.

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain." — Hebrews 6:19 (NIV)

This hope is not fleeting but deeply rooted in the presence of God. Jesus, as our high priest, grants us access to the Father, ensuring that our hope is unshakable.

Even in sorrow, Jesus brings hope, as seen in John 16:33:

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

We are never alone in our struggles and can experience peace and love that surpasses understanding, when we hope in the Lord. Paul tells us, as part of our spiritual warfare we need to deliberately put on armor, and in 1 Thessalonians 5:8 he writes the helmet of our salvation is hope.

Encouragement for Today

In a world of instant gratification, waiting can feel frustrating and discouraging. However, the Bible assures believers that God’s timing is always perfect. When we wait in hopeful expectation, we are refining our faith and drawing closer to God.

As Lamentations reminds us:

"The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." — Lamentations 3:25-26 (NIV)

Waiting is never wasted when our hope remains anchored in God. He is faithful, and His plans are always for our good. May we continue to place our trust in Him, resting in the assurance that His promises will always come to pass.

Living in the Light of Our Hope

Because Jesus is our living hope, we are called to live differently—with confidence, faith, and joy. Our hope should not merely be a belief we hold but a truth that transforms the way we think, act, love, and hope.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." — Romans 15:13 (NIV)

As followers of Christ, we have a living hope that can give us strength each day. Faith exists hope and hope is an expectation of that not seen. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. May we stand firm in the hope Jesus provides, trusting that His promises never fail.

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