When I think about waiting, the first and greatest example that comes to mind is the story of Abraham and Sarah. God promised Abraham that he would be father of all the nations. When Sarah became impatient, she gave her servant to Abraham to bore a child. It wasn't until thirteen years after Ishmael's birth that Abraham and Sarah conceived Isaac. Abraham and Sarah were well advanced in age at this point. The story of Abraham and Sarah's season of waiting in the majority of the book of Genesis.
Joseph has another beautiful story on waiting. Joseph was sold by his brothers as a slave. God promised Joseph that he would be the leader of his people. At the time, Joseph was in a prison cell. Over time, with patience, Joseph became the leader of his people and of the people of Egypt.
How about the story in Joshua 6? Jericho was closed; no one in, no one out. God came to Joshua and told him to take the city that had already been given to him. Joshua was told to march around the city of six days, and to blow the trumpets on the seventh day, after marching around the city of seven times. Joshua did not share this information with his army. How do you think Joshua's army felt? What were their thoughts, do you think? Marching around a city of six days, and then seven times in one day trumpeting? What a story on waiting... Joshua 6:27 says, "God was with Joshua".
For a little encouragement to press through seasons of waiting...
James 5:11 says that we should consider it a blessing to preserve. Galatians 6:9 warns us against becoming weary in doing good... the proper harvest will be reaped in due time.
Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages us to trust in the Lord with all of our heart, leaning not on our own understanding.
Psalm 40:1 says "I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.
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