Topical Encyclopedia Waiting upon God for mercy is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, reflecting a deep reliance on God's compassion and grace. This act of waiting is not passive but involves active faith, prayer, and hope in God's promises. The Bible presents waiting for God's mercy as an essential aspect of the believer's relationship with Him, emphasizing trust in His timing and His benevolent nature.Biblical Foundation The concept of waiting for God's mercy is rooted in the understanding of God's character as merciful and gracious. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for mercy, "chesed," often denotes God's steadfast love and kindness. The psalmists frequently express their dependence on God's mercy, illustrating a profound trust in His unfailing love. Psalm 123:2 captures this sentiment: "As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, until He shows us mercy." This verse portrays a posture of expectancy and humility, recognizing God's sovereignty and the believer's need for His intervention. Expressions of Waiting Waiting for God's mercy involves several key expressions: 1. Prayer and Supplication: Believers are encouraged to approach God with their requests, seeking His mercy through earnest prayer. Psalm 86:5 states, "For You, O Lord, are kind and forgiving, rich in loving devotion to all who call on You." This verse underscores the importance of calling upon God, trusting in His readiness to forgive and extend mercy. 2. Hope and Expectation: Waiting for mercy is intertwined with hope. Lamentations 3:22-23 declares, "Because of the LORD’s loving devotion we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!" This passage reassures believers of the continual renewal of God's mercies, fostering hope even in dire circumstances. 3. Patience and Perseverance: The process of waiting often requires patience and endurance. Psalm 130:5-6 illustrates this: "I wait for the LORD; my soul does wait, and in His word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning—more than watchmen wait for the morning." The repetition emphasizes the intensity and persistence of waiting, akin to watchmen eagerly anticipating dawn. Theological Implications Waiting upon God for mercy is a testament to His covenantal faithfulness. It acknowledges human frailty and the need for divine intervention. The act of waiting is not merely about receiving mercy but also about cultivating a deeper relationship with God, marked by trust and submission to His will. In the New Testament, the theme of waiting for mercy is fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, believers receive the ultimate expression of God's mercy. Titus 3:5 affirms this: "He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit." Practical Application For believers today, waiting upon God for mercy involves a lifestyle of prayer, hope, and patience. It requires a heart attuned to God's voice and a willingness to submit to His timing. In moments of distress or uncertainty, believers are encouraged to remember God's past faithfulness and to trust in His unchanging nature. The practice of waiting for God's mercy is a spiritual discipline that shapes the believer's character, fostering humility and dependence on God. It is an invitation to experience the depth of God's love and to witness His transformative power in their lives. Torrey's Topical Textbook Psalm 123:2Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden to the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait on the LORD our God, until that he have mercy on us. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library LM Doddridge. The Patient Waiting Upon God. Waiting Only Upon God Waiting and Singing Daily Fellowship with God God's Waiting and Man's God and the Godly Surely Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow Me all the Days of My Life ... A Petulant Wish A Covenant God The Holy Spirit Convicting the World of Sin, of Righteousness and ... Resources Are we supposed to be actively looking for a spouse? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a spiritual harvest and how can I achieve one? | GotQuestions.org How can I know what God's timing is? | GotQuestions.org Waiting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Waiting for Guidance and Teaching Waiting for the Coming of Christ Waiting for the Consolation of Israel Waiting for the Fulfillment of his Promises Waiting for the Fulfillment of his Word Waiting for the Hope of Righteousness by Faith Waiting in the Way of his Judgments Waiting Upon God: As the Giver of all Temporal Blessings Waiting Upon God: As the God of Providence Waiting Upon God: As the God of Salvation Waiting Upon God: Exhortations and Encouragements To Waiting Upon God: For: Coming of Christ Waiting Upon God: For: Guidance and Teaching Waiting Upon God: For: Hope of Righteous by Faith Waiting Upon God: For: Protection Waiting Upon God: For: Salvation Waiting Upon God: For: The Consolation of Israel Waiting Upon God: For: The Fulfillment of his Promises Waiting Upon God: For: The Fulfillment of his Word Waiting Upon God: God Calls Us To Waiting Upon God: Predicted of the Gentiles Waiting Upon God: Saints Have Expectation From Waiting Upon God: Saints Plead, in Prayer Waiting Upon God: Saints Resolve On Waiting Upon God: should be all the Day Waiting Upon God: should be Continually Waiting Upon God: should be in the Way of his Judgments Waiting Upon God: should be Specially in Adversity Waiting Upon God: should Be with Earnest Desire Waiting Upon God: should Be with Full Confidence Waiting Upon God: should Be with Hope in his Word Waiting Upon God: should Be with Patience Waiting Upon God: should Be with Resignation Waiting Upon God: should Be with the Soul Waiting Upon God: The Patience of Saints often Tried In Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage In are Blessed Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage In are Heard Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage in Experience his Goodness Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage in Shall be Saved Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage in Shall Inherit the Earth Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage in Shall not be Ashamed Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage in Shall Receive the Glorious Things Prepared by God for Them Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage in Shall Rejoice in Salvation Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage in Shall Renew Their Strength Waiting Upon God: They Who Engage in Wait Upon Him Only Waiting: Especially in Adversity Waiting: Exhortations and Encouragements To Waiting: Predicted of the Gentiles Waiting: Saints Have Expectation From Waiting: Saints Plead, in Prayer Waiting: should be With the Soul Waiting: The Patience of Saints often Tested In Waiting: Those Who Engage In are Blessed Waiting: Those Who Engage In are Heard Waiting: Those Who Engage in Experience his Goodness Waiting: Those Who Engage in Wait Upon Him Only Waiting: Those Who Engage in Will be Saved Waiting: Those Who Engage in Will Inherit the Earth Waiting: Those Who Engage in Will not be Ashamed Waiting: Those Who Engage in Will Receive the Glorious Things Prepared by God for Them Waiting: Those Who Engage in Will Rejoice in Salvation Waiting: Those Who Engage in Will Renew Their Strength Waiting: Upon God: As the Giver of all Temporal Blessings Waiting: Upon God: As the God of Providence Waiting: Upon God: As the God of Salvation Related Terms |