Are there benefits of waiting on God? There are Bible stories of those who had to wait. And waiting on God Bible verses that will encourage you. Check out the four benefits of waiting on God that can lead to your contentment.
1. Benefits of Waiting on God: Safety
In the story of Noah, I can’t imagine being cooped up in a boat with animals of every kind and lacking sunlight. Before the flood, God watered the land with springs and four rivers that kept the land hydrated. It had not rained in the world (Genesis 2:5-10). Ever.
But God saw the increasing evil in the land. So much that they were continually evil.
The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Genesis 6:5 ESV
So God grieved by their sin. He determined that he would put these people to death by a flood. He tasked Noah with building a large boat (438 feet long x 72.9 feet wide x 43.8 feet high). If you are familiar with US football, the length was 1 1/2 football fields long, about as wide as a football field, and four stories tall. It took him 120 years to build this boat – the time frame that God gave them to repent (Gen. 6:3). I imagine that people ridiculed him. They had never seen rain, so it seemed incomprehensible that a flood would take over the earth. Noah was crazy in their eyes!
Once the flood came, Noah and his family were safe in the ark. The rain came down for forty days and nights.
And they Waited on the Ark Longer than That!
Yet they were not done being in that boat.
The water was on the earth for another 150 days after that. Then the ark came to rest on Mt. Ararat. Then after forty more days, Noah sent a raven and a dove out to see if there was dry land. The dove returned, and they waited seven more days. Then he sent the dove out again, and she returned an olive leaf.
Then he waited seven more days and sent the dove out again. This time the dove did not return (Genesis 8:10-12).
While Noah, his family, and all the animals were in the boat, they waited. They were likely anxious about being in there so long and complained about the stench of the animals. Yet with all the waiting, they were kept safe. God knew exactly how long it would take for the water to soak into the ground and recede from the land into oceans, lakes, and rivers.
Contented Ark Dwellers?
Were Noah and his family contented while they waited in the ark? We don’t know. But like any hard time in the Bible or today, we need to trust God. He knows what He is doing, and we must make the best of the situation.
2. Benefits of Waiting on God: Deliverance
David endured trials while he was waiting to be king. Saul and his armies chased him and tried to have him killed. And David had the opportunity to kill Saul while he slept. However, he could not kill the Lord’s anointed (1 Samuel 24:6).
Sometimes he waited without an answer. That can be hard when those around you get away with injustice, or they seem to have everything they want and more. But we need to wait and see how God responds in His timing.
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!
Psalm 37:7 ESV
And other times, God answered, as He did in this Psalm.
I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.
Psalm 40:1 ESV
David was acquainted with times of waiting on God. And he knew that he could trust him to answer and deliver him when the time was right.
When my job changed, I felt like an injustice was being done with why the changes that were made. But I didn’t have any proof. I had to let God be the judge, and after some time, the injustice was corrected. God delivers us, but it needs to be His timing, not ours. Getting mad about the situation or the injustice I felt hurts my contentment more than resolving to be content in the present situation.
3. Blessed
Proverbs is one of the books that are considered wisdom literature in the Bible. This book, written by Solomon, has many verses about listening to God’s instruction and obtaining wisdom. In Chapter 8, Solomon expounds on the blessings of wisdom and speaks to wisdom as if talking to a woman.
In this verse, wisdom is a treasure Solomon is willing to watch and wait all day at the door to hear what she has to say.
Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors.
Proverbs 8:34 ESV
Watch in this verse means “to keep watch or be wakeful over.” It is like being on the lookout for wisdom to come. The one who intentionally listens for wisdom to guide and direct them are blessed. Seek out God and listen for His direction. He will keep you content where you are, and you will be blessed!
4. God is Faithful – He will Answer!
There are so many examples where God has been faithful. It is hard for me to choose. I chose Hannah, who prayed for a child year after year. Finally, God answered her prayer, and she had a son named Samuel. His name means “heard of God” (1 Samuel 1:20).
Like Hannah, David experienced times when God answered his prayer.
But for you, O Lord, do I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.
Psalm 38:15 ESV
God is faithful. He will do exactly as He says He will do. When we lean in and believe what He has promised, we can be content that it will happen.
Summary of Waiting on God & Your Contentment
While we wait and reap the benefits of safety, deliverance, blessing, and God’s faithful answer, we can lean on God’s strength and be of good courage.
Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!
Psalm 31:24 ESV
Since God is so gracious, we can wait for His perfect timing and reap the benefits. When we wait on Him, we are content where we are in the here and now.
