When God Says “Wait”

Cover Article

by Michael Jones · Week of January 4, 2026

“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord.” Those words from Psalm 27:14 are simple, but they speak into one of the most difficult experiences of the Christian life. Waiting is rarely comfortable. We prefer action, resolution, and forward movement. We want answers quickly and outcomes now. Yet Scripture reminds us that seasons of waiting are not accidents. They are often the very places where God does His deepest work in us.

David wrote Psalm 27 during a time of uncertainty and danger. He longed for deliverance and clarity, but instead of rushing ahead or giving in to fear, he called himself and others to wait for the Lord. This kind of waiting is not passive resignation. It is active trust. To wait for the Lord is to place our confidence not in our own timing or understanding, but in God’s faithfulness and wisdom.

One of the hardest truths to accept is that God’s delays are not denials. When God says wait, He is not ignoring us or withholding good out of indifference. Scripture consistently shows that waiting is part of how God prepares His people. Abraham waited years for the promised son. Joseph waited through betrayal and imprisonment before God’s plan became clear. Israel waited in the wilderness before entering the promised land. Even Jesus waited until the fullness of time to begin His ministry. In each case, waiting shaped character, strengthened faith, and aligned hearts with God’s purposes.

Waiting exposes what we truly trust. When answers come quickly, it is easy to believe we trust God. When answers are delayed, our hearts are tested. We are tempted to grow impatient, anxious, or even resentful. We may try to force outcomes, compromise convictions, or take matters into our own hands. Yet Scripture warns us that rushing ahead of God often leads to regret. Saul lost his kingdom because he refused to wait. Israel fell into idolatry when they would not wait for Moses to return. Waiting protects us from decisions driven by fear rather than faith.

Psalm 27:14 tells us that waiting requires strength and courage. That may seem surprising, but waiting can be harder than acting. It takes strength to remain faithful when progress feels slow. It takes courage to trust God when we cannot see what He is doing. Waiting stretches our faith and teaches us dependence. It reminds us that we are not in control, but we are cared for by the One who is.

Waiting also reshapes our prayers. Instead of simply asking God to change our circumstances, we begin to ask Him to change us. We learn to seek His presence rather than just His answers. Earlier in Psalm 27, David says that his deepest desire is to dwell in the house of the Lord and gaze upon His beauty. In waiting seasons, God often draws us closer to Himself, refining our priorities and deepening our relationship with Him.

For Christians today, waiting may look like unanswered prayers, prolonged illness, unresolved conflict, or delayed opportunities. It may involve waiting for healing, direction, reconciliation, or growth. In those moments, Scripture calls us not to give up, but to remain faithful. We continue to pray, worship, study God’s Word, and serve others, trusting that God is at work even when we cannot see it.

Waiting does not mean inactivity. It means faithful obedience in the present. While we wait for clarity about tomorrow, God has already given us instructions for today. He calls us to love others, pursue holiness, practice patience, and walk humbly with Him. These acts of faith are never wasted. They prepare us for whatever God has planned next.

When God says wait, He is inviting us to trust Him more deeply. He is strengthening our hearts and shaping our character. Though waiting may feel long and difficult, it is never meaningless. God’s timing is perfect, even when it differs from our own. As we wait, may we do so with courage and confidence, knowing that the Lord is faithful and that His plans are always for our good.

Other congregations are welcome to reprint this. It may be reproduced in another congregation’s bulletin or newsletter without asking permission. An acknowledgement of Orange View Church of Christ is appreciated but not required.

Bible Questions & Answers

What does the Bible teach about Conditional Immortality (Annihilation)?

Christians have long agreed that there is a final judgment and that eternal destiny matters deeply. Where faithful believers sometimes differ is in how Scripture describes the fate of the wicked. One view that has gained renewed attention in recent decades is often called conditional immortality, sometimes referred to as annihilationism. While this view is not the mainstream position in most Christian circles today, it has been thoughtfully held by some serious Bible students, and it deserves careful and respectful consideration.

At the heart of conditional immortality is a simple question-- Does the Bible teach that all human souls are inherently immortal, or does it teach that immortality is a gift given by God only to the redeemed, while the wicked ultimately face destruction? Those who hold this view argue that Scripture consistently presents eternal life as something granted by God rather than something humans naturally possess.

Jesus’ words in Matthew 10:28 are often central to this discussion. He warns that we should fear the One who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Conditionalists point out that Jesus uses the language of destruction, not endless conscious existence. They argue that this suggests a real and final ruin rather than perpetual life in torment.

Romans 6:23 is another key passage. Paul contrasts the wages of sin with the gift of God. The wages of sin, he says, is death, while the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus. Conditional immortality emphasizes this contrast. Eternal life is presented as a gift, not a universal human condition. If eternal life is a gift, then it is possible that those outside of Christ do not possess it at all.

Second Thessalonians 1:9 speaks of the wicked suffering the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord. Those who hold to conditional immortality argue that eternal describes the result, not the process. In this reading, the destruction is permanent and irreversible rather than an unending experience of conscious suffering.

It is important to acknowledge that this view has been held by some respected voices among brethren. Homer Hailey, a well-known and careful Bible scholar, eventually adopted conditional immortality after long study. Edward Fudge’s book, The Fire That Consumes, has also been influential in presenting the position with depth, restraint, and careful engagement with Scripture. Many who disagree with the conclusion still respect the scholarship and sincerity with which the case is made.

At the same time, most Christians historically have understood Scripture to teach eternal conscious punishment. Passages that speak of unquenchable fire, weeping and gnashing of teeth, and eternal punishment are often cited in support of that view. Because of this, conditional immortality remains outside the mainstream of Christian teaching, and many faithful believers are not persuaded by it.

It is important to approach this subject with humility and care. This is not a matter of the plan of salvation, nor does it affect the urgency of repentance, faith, or obedience to the gospel. Whether one understands hell as eternal conscious punishment or ultimate destruction, Scripture is clear that judgment is real, sin is serious, and salvation is found only in Christ.

It is also important to note what conditional immortality does not claim. It does not deny judgment. It does not minimize the consequences of sin. It does not offer comfort to the wicked. It still affirms that separation from God is final, terrible, and just. The difference lies in how Scripture’s language of death, destruction, and perishing is understood.

For Christians wrestling with this question, the right response is careful study rather than quick conclusions. We should let Scripture speak for itself, examining the whole counsel of God rather than isolated verses. We should also allow room for thoughtful disagreement among sincere believers, recognizing that not every doctrinal question is equally clear or central.

In the end, the Bible’s message is unmistakable. Eternal life is found in Christ. Judgment is certain. Our responsibility is not to speculate endlessly about the mechanics of punishment, but to proclaim the gospel, live holy lives, and urge others to be reconciled to God. On that, faithful Christians can stand united, even while continuing to study and reflect on difficult questions like this one with humility and reverence. - MJ