Waiting With God’s Word

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

Christians who are familiar with God’s Word almost know this Scripture verbatim. Yet knowing is not the same as doing, and so I wondered how we are to apply these words to the act of waiting upon the LORD, a topic that rears itself continuously in our Christian life. How are these words to profit us so that we may wait well and be complete, lacking nothing (verse 17)?

The first thing we learn in this Scripture is that the inspired Word of God is profitable for doctrine (teaching/instruction). It gives us a basic knowledge of who God is and what He is about. As we wait in a particular situation that is trying, we must read the Word to learn what God promises about Himself. He is our LORD in a covenant relationship with us who is ‘righteous in all His ways and kind in all His works (Psalm 145:17). He is the Rock, His work is perfect, and all His ways are just (Deuteronomy 32:4). The Scriptures also teach us that ‘the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever’ (Psalm 100:5) and that ‘nothing is too hard for Him’ (Jeremiah 32:17). To wait on the LORD properly, we must be instructed by God’s Word to remember who He is and who He promises to be for us.

In the midst of our waiting however, we do not always see God in this way. When the trials of life beset us, they can cloud our obscurity so that we forget the magnificent and powerful promises of our God. Thus, the Scriptures will bring reproof and correction when our thoughts do not align with what God declares about Himself. A reproof is a rebuke – a warning to someone that he or she is on the wrong path. Scripture reproofs our wrong thinking and will correct us so that we will be set right again.

Improper waiting leads to fretting, anxiety, fear and hopelessness. This will eventuate when we do not realign our thinking correctly to God’s Word. In continuing times of difficulty and trial, we may begin to fear that God has ceased being kind to us or failed to care. Yet it is precisely in these moments that we need God’s Word to rebuke our mistakes and correct our wayward thinking. Let’s remember that the struggles we face, no matter how momentous, do not change who God is nor what He promises to His people.

Romans 8:28 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.

Finally, as we readjust our thinking to what God declares and forsake wrong thoughts we will be trained in righteousness, being able to continue in our waiting with hope, peace and joy. We know that our God ‘will never leave us nor forsake us.’ (Hebrews 13:5)

Romans 8:31 What shall we say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

In our waiting God is for us. Nothing, absolutely nothing, can separate us from the love Christ has for us, so that in our difficulties, we can announce with confidence, that His love and care will sustain us, despite what we may be experiencing at the time. We can wait well once reproved and corrected in our wrong ways of waiting, and wait on God with faith, hope, joy and peace.

Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

This is an astounding way to wait. With joy and peace and utter hope that God will establish everything that concerns us. His Word not only instructs, reproofs, corrects and trains us to live rightly, but it infuses us with the fruit of the Spirit bringing much glory to our Father.

May God’s Spirit, both lead us deeper into the Word whilst we wait, and fortify our thinking, so that we never fail to wander from the promises God has spoken to His beloved children.

‘Heavenly Father, You have assured me in Your Word that all Your promises are yes and amen to Your glory. Help me to realign my wayward and doubting thoughts so that they are pleasing and perfect to You. Amen.’