The term "waitest" is an archaic form of the verb "wait," often found in older English translations of the Bible. It conveys the act of waiting, which is a significant theme throughout the Scriptures. Waiting on the Lord is a spiritual discipline that reflects trust, patience, and hope in God's timing and promises.

Biblical Context and Usage

In the Bible, waiting is often associated with faith and reliance on God. It is not merely a passive activity but an active expression of trust in God's sovereignty and goodness. The concept of waiting is frequently linked with prayer, expectation, and the anticipation of God's intervention or fulfillment of His promises.

Key Scriptures

1. Psalm 27:14 : "Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD." This verse emphasizes the importance of patience and courage while waiting for God's guidance and deliverance. It encourages believers to remain steadfast and confident in the Lord's timing.

2. Isaiah 40:31 : "But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint." This passage highlights the spiritual renewal and strength that come from waiting on the Lord. It assures believers that waiting on God leads to empowerment and endurance.

3. Lamentations 3:25-26 : "The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD." These verses underscore the goodness of God to those who wait for Him and seek Him earnestly. They suggest that waiting is an integral part of experiencing God's salvation and goodness.

Theological Significance

Waiting on the Lord is a recurring theme that reflects a deep theological truth about God's nature and His relationship with His people. It acknowledges God's perfect timing and His ultimate control over all circumstances. Waiting is an act of worship and submission, recognizing that God's plans are higher and better than human understanding.

Practical Implications

For believers, waiting on the Lord involves several practical aspects:

· Prayer and Meditation: Engaging in prayer and meditating on God's Word while waiting helps believers align their hearts with God's will and strengthens their faith.

· Patience and Perseverance: Waiting requires patience and perseverance, trusting that God's timing is perfect even when circumstances seem challenging or delayed.

· Hope and Expectation: Maintaining hope and expectation in God's promises is crucial. Believers are encouraged to look forward to God's intervention with anticipation and confidence.

· Active Service: While waiting, believers are called to continue serving God and others, using their gifts and talents for His glory.

Conclusion

The concept of "waitest" in the Bible is a profound expression of faith and trust in God. It calls believers to a posture of patience, hope, and active engagement with God's promises, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill them in His perfect timing.

Psalm XXXVII.
... duration. Wait "a little while," thou shalt receive without end what thou
waitest for. A little while, a moderate space. Review ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xxxvii.htm

Daily Fellowship with God
... in thee. Count upon it that this blessed work will be done in thee as thou
waitest on thy God, and holdest fellowship with Him. 7 ...
/.../murray/the deeper christian life/i daily fellowship with god.htm

A Prayer for the Evening.
... and my desert, I should utterly be confounded and condemned; but seeing that of
thine infinite mercy thou hast spared me so long, and still waitest for my ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/a prayer for the evening.htm

The Recall to Religion in the Hymns of Charles Wesley
... I choose a verse at random: Thou waitest to be gracious still; Thou dost with
sinners bear,. the second Thou carries us on from the first: ...
/.../manning/the hymns of wesley and watts five papers/the recall to religion in.htm

Philippians i. 1, 2
... So then it is a "fellowship in furtherance of the Gospel." For when one preacheth,
and thou waitest on the preacher, thou sharest his crowns. ...
/.../homily i philippians i 1.htm

The Discourse on the Holy Theophany.
... Baptize me with the fire of Divinity; why waitest Thou for water? Enlighten
me with the Spirit; why dost Thou attend upon a creature? ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/the discourse on the holy.htm

The Saint Ceases not to Pray. Prayer the Way to Recover what is ...
... how Thou comfortest and endurest, and also waitest for them to make themselves like
unto Thee, and yet, in the meanwhile, art Thyself so patient of the state ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/chapter viii the saint ceases.htm

1 Thessalonians iv. 3-Jan
... But if he perceives that thou art remiss and slow, and waitest until he shall acquire
a large income, and then thou wilt contract a marriage for him ...
/.../homily v 1 thessalonians iv.htm

1 Cor. Iv. 17
... Thus, when hunger compels thee to take nourishment, thou waitest not for the viands
to come unto thee of their own accord, but omittest nothing to gather ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xiv 1 cor iv.htm

The Right Hand and the Left.
... possession of thyself. I can seek but what thou waitest and watchest to give:
I would be such into whom thy love can flow.'. It seems ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/hope of the gospel/the right hand and the.htm

Waitest (1 Occurrence)
...Waitest (1 Occurrence). Job 35:14 How much less when thou sayest thou beholdest
him not, The cause is before him, and thou waitest for him! (ASV). ...
/w/waitest.htm - 6k

Waiteth (15 Occurrences)

/w/waiteth.htm - 10k

Waiters (1 Occurrence)

/w/waiters.htm - 6k

Beholdest (6 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS). Job 35:14 How much less when thou sayest thou beholdest him not,
The cause is before him, and thou waitest for him! (ASV). ...
/b/beholdest.htm - 8k

Canst (62 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). Job 35:14 How much less when thou sayest thou beholdest him
not, The cause is before him, and thou waitest for him! (See JPS). ...
/c/canst.htm - 24k

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