Pastor Lawson Perdue

When we have patience for God’s promises, we find that “good things come to those who wait”—just like the Bible teaches. We all like to get good things but don’t like waiting. I’m not always patient, but I’m working on it and improving. What helps me be patient is that I read my Bible and know that God is good and that the Bible is full of His promises of blessings. God can’t lie, so if He promises anything, He will do it!

Several Bible verses explain that good things come to those who wait, but the key is to wait on the Lord. Lamentations 3:25–26 says, “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that a man should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” God promised Abraham that his descendants would number the sand and stars (Genesis), but he and his wife were childless. Hebrews 6:15 says, “So after Abraham had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.”

Patience is easier when things go well. It is harder to practice waiting patiently during difficult times. Let’s look at some Bible verses about patience in hard times. James 1:12 reveals the ultimate reward for patience in hard times, “Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he is tried, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” We discover the benefits of patiently enduring in Romans 5:3–5, “Not only so, but we also boast in tribulation, knowing that tribulation produces patience, patience produces character, and character produces hope. And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Praise the Lord that we don’t go through hard times alone—the Holy Spirit is in us and with us 24/7 to help us.

The Bible gives many verses about patience and God’s timing to fulfill His promises. Psalm 27:14: “Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” Another encouraging verse is Galatians 6:9, “And let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not give up.” Sometimes, we forget that God isn’t obligated to fit into our time frame. God knows our days and everything about them (Psalm 139:16), so we should trust His timing. 

What are practical ways to cultivate patience according to the Bible? 

According to Galatians 5:22, patience is a fruit of the Spirit. Anyone who wants to cultivate a good harvest knows that you plant a seed, tend to the seed, and patiently wait for the harvest to come. A farmer would never dig up his seeds to see if his harvest was ready. The farmer waters, weeds, and fertilizes to get a maximum harvest. There are many biblical ways to cultivate patience: spend time in prayer, read and meditate on the Word of God, be thankful, remember God’s faithfulness, and praise God at all times.

What is the significance of Isaiah 40:31 in understanding waiting?

In this verse, the prophet Isaiah likens our waiting on the Lord to eagles who soar on the air currents. An eagle is a strong bird, but it saves energy by effortlessly using the wind. When we rest in the Lord and the work He already did for us on Calvary to purchase forgiveness of our sins and healing, we don’t use our effort to try to earn those, but rather, apply our effort to praising God and accomplishing His plan for us.

How can I apply lessons about waiting from the Bible in my daily life?

The Bible is always the best guidebook to learn from and follow. When you look at the lives of Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and David, you find examples of people who trusted God to fulfill His promises to them. While waiting to see the promise’s fulfillment, they kept following God’s Word and doing what He showed them to do. Each day, focus on God and watch for His blessings to be evident.

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