God was training Jacob as he was learning to wait. Jacob had to wait seven years before he could marry Rachel. Then, Laban substituted Leah for Rachel on the wedding night. Jacob had to complete a week with Leah; then Laban allowed him to marry Rachel. But this came with a price, another seven years of labor.
Modern psychology tells us that the ability to wait now for something better in the future is an important life skill. Waiting must happen if you forgo large purchases to put money into savings. Psychology calls this delayed gratification.[1] If you are trying to lose weight, you must skip dessert. Or you may need to take a job you don’t like to help you get a job you do want. There are times when you must give up things now for a better reward later.
Biblical Waiting
As we grow in faith and begin to trust the Lord more, we can put our will aside to do God’s will. This is what God was teaching Jacob and what He continues to teach us today. The following is a list of Bible verses about waiting on the Lord.
- Psalm 27:14 Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.[2]
- Lamentations 3:25 The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. 26 So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.[3]
- Isaiah 40:30 Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion.31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.[4]
- Psalm 37:7 Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.[5]
- Psalm 40:1 I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.2 He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. 3 He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.[6]
Waiting Today
Where is God asking you to wait today? What does He want you to set aside for now for a better reward later? Which of the above verses struck a chord with you? God is still speaking and guiding us today. Waiting may not be fun, but it can have its rewards.
To hear more about learning to wait, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/impact-of-parents
[1] https://www.tonyrobbins.com/achieve-lasting-weight-loss/delayed-gratification/
[2-6] Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.