waiting expectantly

My name is Makenzie Mooneyhan and this is my story of heartbreak, loss, miracles, redemption, and the hope that I find in Christ.

“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I put my hope.” Psalm 130:5

In the Bible, the word “wait” has multiple meanings, including: [1]

To hope, anticipate, and trust

In the scriptures, “wait” means to hope and trust in the Lord, which requires faith, patience, humility, and more. [1]

To await the return of the Lord

In 1 Thessalonians 1:10, the word “wait” is used to describe the expectation of the Lord’s return. [2]

To faithfully continue

In Hebrew, the word “wait” can mean to continue to do what God has called you to do. [3]

To bind up with the Lord

The Hebrew word for “wait upon” or “hope in” originally meant “to bind up with”. This means to fasten oneself to the Lord as the source of strength and blessings. [4]

To expect God’s timing and guidance

Waiting on the Lord is about expecting God’s guidance and timing, and believing that He will fulfill His promises. [5]

To look for the fulfillment of a promise

In Luke 2:25, Simeon is described as “waiting for the consolation of Israel”, which means he was looking for the fulfillment of the Messianic promise. [6]

[2] https://www.churchatodessa.org/from-the-desk-of-the-pastor/post/waiting-well—part-1

[3] https://www.facebook.com/vaughnforestchurch/videos/in-hebrew-the-word-wait-means-to-faithfully-and-diligently-continue-to-do-what-g/580023987116015/

[4] https://medium.com/koinonia/what-does-it-mean-to-wait-upon-the-lord-be7909dc7f63

[5] https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/how-do-we-wait-upon-the-lord.html

[6] https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/wait/

In the Bible, “expectantly” means to have hope and anticipation for something good to happen, and to trust in God’s promises. It’s a posture of active faith and readiness for God’s actions. [1, 2, 3]

Explanation [4]

Hopeful

An expectant person is hopeful and believes that the answer to their problem is close. [4]

Active faith

Expectancy is not just passive waiting, but involves active faith and trust in God’s timing and purposes. [1]

Confident

An expectant person is confident that God will intervene, fulfill His word, or manifest His will. [3]

Watchful

An expectant person is watchful and looks for the Lord. [5]

Examples in the Bible [6]

  • Anna: Anna waited expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem. [6]
  • Abraham and Sarah: Abraham and Sarah waited expectantly for something that hadn’t happened. [2]

[1] https://biblehub.com/topical/e/expectantly.htm

[2] https://stillnessofthemorning.wordpress.com/2024/01/16/wait-expectantly-2/

[3] https://biblehub.com/topical/e/expect.htm

[4] https://joycemeyer.org/Grow-Your-Faith/Articles/What-to-Do-When-Youre-Waiting-on-God

[5] https://www.loveminblog.com/blog/2018/1/9/expectant-without-expectations

[6] https://opendoorchurch.com/blog/2024/07/22/waiting-expectantly