> Waiting on God is one of the most challenging yet rewarding disciplines in the Christian life. It requires faith, humility, surrender, and trust in God’s perfect timing. Andrew Murray, in his book Waiting on God, provides profound insights into this spiritual practice, reminding believers that waiting is not passive but an active, faith-filled process. Let us explore the discipline of waiting on God, drawing from Murray’s teachings, Scripture, and the wisdom of other Christian leaders.
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Faith in God’s Sovereignty
At the heart of waiting on God is faith in His sovereignty. Andrew Murray emphasizes that believers must trust in God’s control over all circumstances, even when His plans and timing seem unclear. Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Waiting on God requires resting in the assurance that His plans are perfect, even when they don’t align with our expectations. As Charles Spurgeon once said, “God is too good to be unkind, and He is too wise to be mistaken. And when we cannot trace His hand, we must trust His heart.”
Waiting as an Active Process
Contrary to what some may think, waiting on God is not passive resignation. Murray describes it as an active posture of seeking God, trusting Him, and aligning oneself with His will. This involves persistence in prayer, meditation on His Word, and surrender to His purposes.
Psalm 37:7 encourages us, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way.” In the stillness of waiting, we actively seek God’s presence and guidance, trusting that He is working behind the scenes for our good.
Surrender and Humility
Waiting on God often requires surrendering our own plans and desires. Murray highlights the importance of humility in this process, acknowledging that we are limited in our understanding and must trust God to lead.
Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Surrendering control allows God to shape our hearts and align our desires with His perfect will.
Oswald Chambers echoes this truth, saying, “Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading.”
Patience: A Fruit of Waiting
One of the greatest lessons in waiting is the cultivation of patience. Murray explains that waiting on God fosters the fruit of patience, which is essential for spiritual growth. James 1:3-4 teaches, “For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
Through patience, believers learn to trust God in every season of life, recognizing that delays are not denials but opportunities for growth and refinement.
God’s Timing is Perfect
Murray repeatedly emphasizes that God’s timing is never bound by human schedules or deadlines. Ecclesiastes 3:11 declares, “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” Trusting in God’s perfect timing requires letting go of anxiety and impatience, knowing that He will fulfill His promises at the right moment.
As A.W. Tozer once wrote, “God never hurries. There are no deadlines against which He must work. Only to know this is to quiet our spirits and relax our nerves.”
Prayer: The Anchor of Waiting
Prayer is central to the discipline of waiting on God. Murray stresses the importance of persistent, faith-filled prayer during seasons of waiting. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
In prayer, we draw closer to God, align our hearts with His will, and find the strength to endure the waiting process.
Expectant Hope
Waiting on God is not a hopeless endeavor but one filled with expectant hope. Murray reminds believers to trust that God will act according to His promises. Isaiah 40:31 beautifully captures this truth: “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
This expectant hope fuels our faith, giving us the courage to wait patiently for God’s provision and direction.
The Rewards of Waiting
Scripture promises blessings for those who wait on God. Murray explains that waiting leads to renewed strength, deeper faith, and divine provision. Lamentations 3:25 assures us, “The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.”
When we wait on God, we experience His presence in profound ways, growing in intimacy with Him and becoming more like Christ.
Conclusion
Waiting on God is not easy, but it is a vital part of the Christian life. It requires faith in His sovereignty, surrender to His will, and trust in His perfect timing. As Andrew Murray teaches, waiting is not about inactivity but about seeking God in prayer, meditating on His Word, and living in obedience.
In the waiting, God refines our character, deepens our faith, and draws us closer to Him. Let us embrace the discipline of waiting on God, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill His promises in His perfect time. As we wait, may we echo the words of Psalm 27:14: “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”
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