Waiting on God

by Andrew Murray

Waiting on God was written by Andrew Murray in 1896. Murray divides this book into 31 "days" (chapters). Waiting on God details our need for more of God in our daily lives and elaborates in 31 small chapters/lessons on how we can go about appreciating God.

Genres: Christian, Devotional, Christian Living, Nonfiction, Faith, Christianity, Theology

88 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1958

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Murray was Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Murray became a noted missionary leader. His father was a Scottish Presbyterian serving the Dutch Reformed Church of South Africa, and his mother had connections with both French Huguenots and German Lutherans. This background to some extent explains his ecumenical spirit. He was educated at Aberdeen University, Scotland, and at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. After ordination in 1848 he served pastorates at Bloemfontein, Worcester, Cape Town, and Wellington. He helped to found what are now the University College of the Orange Free State and the Stellenbosch Seminary. He served as Moderator of the Cape Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church and was president of both the YMCA (1865) and the South Africa General Mission (1888-1917), now the Africa Evangelical Fellowship.

He was one of the chief promoters of the call to missions in South Africa. This led to the Dutch Reformed Church missions to blacks in the Transvaal and Malawi. Apart from his evangelistic tours in South Africa, he spoke at the Keswick and Northfield Conventions in 1895, making a great impression. upon his British and American audiences. For his contribution to world missions he was given an honorary doctorate by the universities of Aberdeen (1898) and Cape of Good Hope(1907).

Murray is best known today for his devotional writings, which place great emphasis on the need for a rich, personal devotional life. Many of his 240 publications explain in how he saw this devotion and its outworking in the life of the Christian. Several of his books have become devotional classics. Among these are Abide in Christ, Absolute Surrender, With Christ in the School of Prayer, The Spirit of Christ and Waiting on God.

Reviews

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent devotional book on the subject of waiting on God. I wish that I had read this book many years ago. If I did and followed the teachings here, I probably would not be in the fix that I now am. When we are younger, we want God to operate on our time schedule. We do not like standing still, but want to leap forward trusting in God to answer our prayers as soon as we pray for them and not to wait for an answer. If I had only waited on God and His time schedule, then I would have been far better off. God does answer prayer either yes or no or wait. I do not like to wait, so if it wasn't either yes or no, then I thought that God was automatically saying no. Many opportunities were lost because I was not willing to wait on the Lord. I recommend that Christians read this book and learn to wait, wait, and wait on the Lord. God knows who you are and where you are, and He will never fail you. Note, this book is not for the lost, but for those Christians who know and trust in the Lord.

[Sarah Harelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A devotional by Murray I will return to again and again for tender lessons on the blessedness of our dependence on God. 😌Waiting, far from a passive endeavor, is our confident, child-like assurance and expectancy in the Lord’s all-sufficient work in us, even when — and especially when! — we are weak, small, and helpless.

“It is simply and truly our restoration to our original destiny and our HIGHEST rank, to our true place and glory as creatures, happily dependent on the all-glorious God.”

[Jared Rasmussen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve tried to cut back on giving out 5 stars but this is such a great read. He unpacks what truly waiting on the Lord looks like and it was such a daily encouragement. Plus he writes a chapter for every day of the month which is great for slow readers like me lol

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been reading day 11 for about a week and a half- I just love Andrew Murray- I think I will be reading through this for the next several months, chewing on it, praying about it- so good!
I will definitely read this book again. I have already returned to it several times to read an entry which particularly touched me.
I am planning to read all of Andrew Murray's books.

I still have not read all his books, but this is one of my favorite devotionals. I thank God for those who have gone before that take time to mentor, inspire, and exhort us as we seek to walk with Christ- to wait upon Him. Highly recommend.

[Addie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second time reading through, with probably almost ten years in between. I remember really liking it the first time, and I thoroughly enjoyed it this time as well.

Reading this every day for a month was such a balm to my soul. It was wonderful to read a new verse each day that talked about waiting on the Lord, and Andrew Murray does a great job of filling your mind with truth so that by the end he has turned your eyes from whatever earthly desires you long for towards God alone.

Turns out there’s a lot of things to learn when it comes to waiting. Our absolute dependence on God — we are wholly dependent on Him whether we acknowledge it or not (the very breath in our lungs comes from the sustaining hand of our Maker), that we need to wait patiently (which we can do when we trust in His absolute faithfulness and His perfect timing), to wait quietly (not in our own striving and willing but only in His power and by His will will anything come to be), to wait knowing that God is good (and if something is to be good it in fact must come from God), to wait expectantly (acknowledging that we wait upon an all-powerful God who loves us, and also who does things far better than we could ever plan or hope or expect — the Israelites saw that God could rain manna down from heaven but then doubted how he could provide meat or streams in the desert because it was something they hadn’t seen before, and we are very like the Israelites in this), to realize that we already have the fulfillment of things previously waited upon (the long awaited Messiah came, our Savior came to earth, died, and rose again for our sins — and we now live in the freedom of that waiting fulfilled, looking forward to the day of His return) and ultimately, to realize that while we may be waiting for certain earthly things, above all we are to be waiting solely upon God, that He may give us more and more of Himself each and every day.

There are always going to be things we’re waiting for in this life, whether it’s provision or deliverance, but this book turns your eyes not on the things for which you wait, but rather the One on whom you wait. And once you realize the goodness of the God you’re waiting upon, you realize that all that you truly desire is for His will to be done in your life, and that you may be wholly submitted to Him, being emptied of yourself and filled instead with His fullness. It helped me to look at all my longings for this life and hold them with empty hands as I look to God and find ultimate satisfaction in Him alone.

“In waiting on God it is of infinite consequence that we not only submit because we are compelled to, but because we lovingly and joyfully consent to be in the hands of our blessed Father… it is the highest expression of our faith in His goodness and faithfulness.”

“This is the blessedness of waiting upon God, that it takes our eyes and thoughts away from ourselves, even our needs and desires, and occupies us with our God.”

“The giver is more than the gift; God is more than the blessing; and our kept waiting on Him is the only way for our learning to find our life and joy in Himself.”

“You are an immortal spirit, created not for this world but for eternity and for God… Beware lest any earthly satisfaction or enjoyment, however innocent it appears, keep you back from saying ‘I will go to God, my exceeding joy’… Let Him be all your salvation, all your desire.”

[Lidia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andrew Murray again made me cry from all my heart for God. This book's theme is about waiting on God unconditionally with all your being. Honestly this book came in my time of need because I want to have a deep relationship with God but I am unsuccessful because I do not have patience . This book opened my eyes and made me see that God has a plan for you no matter what and that even if you do not feel close to Him , He is always there and changes you little by little. I learned and also saw that God transforms me slow and surely in His time and that I only need to pray and wait for Him because that is His way of giving me the understanding of what patience really means .

[Sophia Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a much needed call to repentance!

I so often struggle with the sin of constant assurance and control in my life (relationships, job, spiritual growth) I get so caught up being in constant motion towards my goals, I allow my wants guide my actions and rationalize it by saying ‘I’m just staying active’, rather than being still and patient. “If we truly set ourselves to wait upon God, we shall find that it is with Him we are impatient, because He does not at once, or as soon as we could wish, do our bidding.” ouch…

-“Seek not only the help, the gift, thou neediest; seek HIMSELF; wait FOR HIM. Give God His glory by resting in Him, but trusting him fully, by waiting patiently for Him.”

-“Oh! will you not do what God asks, just be quiet and let Him work?” (clocked)

-“It is the confession of our trust that our God will
in His time come to our help—the quiet resting in Him alone. It is the confession of our desire to sink into our nothingness, and to let Him work and reveal Himself. Do let us wait quietly.”

-“There is no stillness like the stillness Jesus gives when He speaks, “Peace be still.” In Christ, in His death, and in His life, in His perfected redemption, the soul may be still, and God will come in, and take possession, and do His perfect work.”

-“…live even now waiting on God in heaven. Remember how Jesus lived ever waiting on God. He could do nothing of Himself. It was God who perfected His Son through suffering and then exalted Him… Waiting for Christ Himself is oh so different from waiting on things that may come to pass… Therefore all ye who wait on God, look to Him for grace to wait for His Son from heaven in the Spirit which is from heaven.”

Great book, so many comforting and convicting truths, all pointing to the Son of God and the ever-flowing fount of grace that is our Father! May we all say “My soul, wait thou only upon God.” Psalm 62:5

[J. Wootton · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am not a fan of "daily readings" collections, whether practical, inspirational, meditational, devotional, or anything else. Even comics tear-off calendars by favorite cartoonists are wasted on me, falling days and weeks behind amid the clutter of desk or kitchen before January ends.

So, naturally, I was not a fan of this book as such. I read it anyway, because Murray's Humility was really stunning (review to come), but Waiting on God didn't have the same soaring insight I'd hoped for.

Not that it was lacking. It simply wasn't a book-length's worth of material. I think he had perhaps 3 chapters of really good content, and found 10 fresh ways to present each of them.

Of course, when you're in a season of life where waiting is what you must do, and you want to learn how to wait well, what you need is to be reminded of the same true things every day. That's how patience is sustained and frustration abated. So Murray's approach is good, and I appreciate it in the abstract. I'd even recommend the book - to readers of devotionals. I'm simply not one of them.

[Jack McBride · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audio of this 31-day devo and was not expecting this book to be this good. Just ordered a physical copy so I can go through it again asap! Would recommend as either a daily devotional or a quick dive into what it means to wait upon the Lord and be fully dependent upon His timing, will, and strength.

"All that the church and its members need for the mighty manifestation of the power of God in the world is to return to our true place, the place that belongs to us, both in creation and redemption; the place of absolute and unceasing dependence upon God."

[Jeremy Hendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭62‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭

Waiting upon the Lord is key to abiding with Him, and yet this facet of the Christian life is often overlooked, rarely talked about. I benefited a lot from this devotional book. Once again thankful for Murray!

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another tremendous devotional by Andrew Murray. It covers a subject not often emphasised in our modern world: the significance of waiting and waiting upon God.

There are 31 devotions that all start with a verse that typically uses the term "waiting" in it. Murray then expounds on the significance of the verse and how we can practically apply "waiting" in our lives. God moves at a different speed to us, and He desires our hearts to be dependent on Him. A posture of active waiting is a good reflection of dependence, letting Him guide, teach and direct us in all we do.

I'm sure this is one of those books that only gets better with more reading so I plan to re-read very soon.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ranks near the top of my most beloved devotional helps. AM is so warm and inviting, yet he challenges me with the bold truth. A treasure that I keep returning to.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read “Waiting On God” as part of a single-bound trilogy, “Walking with God.”

I chose this book without really looking at it much because I liked the author, Andrew Murray. Then, I took it with me to read as a private devotional while I helped chaperoning a middle school camp. At the camp, as a sort of side-note, everyone was given a list of possible virtues and asked what they thought that God was working on in their lives. I told my group that the one that came to my mind wasn’t on the list: patience, because of this book. I hadn’t realized or even considered that a book entitled “Waiting On God” might be about patience. And that is a hard virtue to focus on!

I once had a friend in a Bible study jokingly tell me that he’d prayed for patience and that he’d never pray for patience again, because so many things went wrong, testing his patience, after that prayer. And no, I don’t think things went wrong any more than usual while I was reading this book – yet, anyway.

I think I needed this book, as a reminder to slow down, and to be still before God, a practice that had become, atypically for me, frightening after experiences at our former church. Some of the people there, including an elder, practice Lectio Divina, the practice of waiting in stillness before God. But, they managed to wander away from scriptural truth when they did that, each to his or her own favorite tangent. Not that Lectio Divina actually has to lead away from scripture, but that particular church as a whole had no guard-rails to keep them from wandering away from truth into the errors of just whatever they feel. (See David Benner’s “Opening to God: Lectio Divina” for more information on what that entails and also for my review on it, if you’re interested. My biggest problem with the book was that Benner calls the Holy Spirit “female” even though Jesus references Him clearly as male. I wouldn’t be opposed to a female god if that were so, but it ain’t so.)

Anyway, after my church had wandered away from Biblical truth on so many fronts, even on core beliefs, and we had felt that it was time to change churches, I felt afraid of waiting before God, because of the abuses of the practice I’d seen in the church. And as they wandered further from scripture, one leader more or less said that we didn’t need to hold to scripture because we don’t worship the Bible. We don’t “worship” it, but it was inspired by the Holy Spirit, and as such, is His “voice” speaking. I told one group of teens there that since the Holy Spirit inspired the Bible, the Holy Spirit within us would agree with it – or what we were listening to within us wasn’t the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit who inspired the scriptures is the same Person who indwells believers. I remember they looked at me incredulously.

Those abuses of the practice, however, have nothing to do with Andrew Murray’s “Waiting On God.” He doesn’t even mention “Lectio Divina” and I don’t know what he would think of it. I just meant to reference them as a sort of guard-rail and warning. And I wanted to mention the fact that I do need to incorporate waiting on God more into my daily rhythms, that I’ve been neglecting it to some extent, even while I continue to pursue Bible study and prayer. For me, sometimes waiting on God means to just pause a minute, kneeling in private remembrance of Who He is. For some reason, it helps to remind me to physically kneel, although I don’t always. And if He brings someone in mind to contact or encourage, I try to follow through.

And now, after this preface, I’ll finally get around to reviewing the book! I loved the Bible references for waiting on God. In fact, that was my favorite part of the whole book. I loved that these verses talked about why we wait on God, how to wait on God, and what the blessings and conditions are for waiting on God. I’ll put some of these verses in my favorite book quotes at the end of the review, but I’ll warn in advance that they are plentiful.

I had never realized that there were so many verses in the Bible about waiting on God. I’d never really thought about the topic at all before, except for the very familiar Isaiah 40:31 verse, “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” I suppose I paused long enough to wonder whether waiting on God was a sort of waiting, like waiting in line at a supermarket, waiting for Him to act, or more like “waiting on” tables, waitressing service. I wasn’t sure if it was a statement of patience or a statement of service.

Andrew Murray took the stance that waiting on God is waiting patiently for Him to act. But, towards the end of his book, he also mentioned that we should be loving other people as we wait.

“Jesus refuses to accept our love except it is love to His disciples.” And the title of the 2nd book in this trilogy is “Working for God,” so I imagine that it’s really a combination of the two – patience and serving.

Favorite quotes:

“In your patience possess ye your souls.” – Luke 21:9

“You have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” – Hebrews 10:36

“Let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” – James 1:4

“My soul I wait thou only upon God, for my expectation is from Him.” – Psalm 62:5

“My soul waiteth only upon God; from Him cometh my salvation.” – Psalms 62:1

“These wait all upon Thee; … Thou openest Thine hand, they are satisfied with good.” –Psalm 104:27-28. I liked what Murray said about God satisfying us with Himself in this chapter.

“Show me Thy ways, O Lord. Teach me Thy paths. Lead me in Thy truth, and teach me; For Thou art the God of my salvation: On Thee do I wait all the day.” – Psalms 24:4,5 This chapter was about waiting for God to teach us.

“Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen Thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” – Psalms 27:14

“Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart, all ye who hope in the Lord.” – Psalm 31:24

“Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear Him, upon them that hope in His mercy.” – Psalms 33:18

“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him. Those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.” – Psalm 37:7,9

“Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness.” – Colossians 1:11

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

“I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth His face from the house of Jacob; and I will look for Him.” –Isaiah 8:17. I loved this chapter where Murray talked about seeking God for others who do not currently have a relationship with Him.

“For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, not perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside Thee, what He hath prepared for him that waiteth for Him.” – Isaiah 64:4

“It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.” – Lamentations 3:26

“The Lord is in His holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before Him.” – Habakkuk 2:20

“Therefore will I look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.” – Micah 7:7

“Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.” – Hosea 12:6

“Man was not meant to have in himself a fountain of life, or strength, or happiness.” – Andrew Murray

“In praying we are often occupied with ourselves, with our own needs, and our own efforts in the presentation of them. In waiting upon God, the first thought is of the God upon Whom we wait. We enter His presence and feel we need just to be quiet, so that He, as God, can overshadow us with Himself.”

“We are so accustomed to judge God and His work in us by what we feel, that it is very likely that when we begin to cultivate the waiting on Him, we shall be discouraged, because we do not find any special blessing from it…. You are not going to wait on yourself to see what you feel and what changes come to you. You are going to wait on God, to know first, what He is, and then, after that, what He will do.”

“Let our whole habit of waiting on God be pervaded by abounding hope – a hope as bright and boundless as God’s mercy. The fatherly kindness of God is such that, in whatever state we come to Him, we may confidently hope in His mercy.”

“The dangers are often very real and dark. The situation, whether in the temporal or spiritual life, may appear to be utterly hopeless, yet there is always one hope; God’s eye is on them.” Said of Psalms 33:18, above

“It is resting in the Lord, in His will, His promise, His faithfulness, and His love, that makes patience easy.” Easy! I would’ve just said easier, not easy. But, there is truth in that resting in God does make patience easier.

“Give God His glory by resting in Him, by trusting Him fully, by waiting patiently for Him. This patience honors Him greatly.”

“Learn to worship God as the God Who does wonders.”

“In waiting on God it is of infinite consequence that we not only submit, because we are compelled to, but because we lovingly and joyfully consent to be in the hands of our blessed Father.”

“And if you sometimes feel as if patience is not your gift, then remember it is God’s gift, and take that prayer, ‘The Lord direct thine hearts into the patience of Christ.’ (2 Thessalonians 3:5)”

“In all our gatherings we need to believe in the Holy Spirit as the Guide and Teacher of God’s saints.”

“Set yourself to wait on God, on behalf of His erring children. Instead of the tone of judgment or condemnation, of despondency or despair, realize your calling to wait upon God. If others fail in doing it, give yourself wholly to it. The deeper the darkness, the greater the need of appealing to the one and only Deliverer.”

“Let us wait on God in tender, loving intercession for all saints, our beloved brethren, however wrong their lives or their teaching may appear.”

“Truly, waiting on God is not meant to be a spiritual self-indulgence.”

“Every act or exercise of waiting just becomes a quiet entering into the goodness of God.”

“The Spirit in us is not a power at our disposal.”

“When He gives grace or strength or life, He gives it by giving Himself to work it.”

[Caroline Parkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

"God cannot part with His grace, or goodness, or strength, as an external thing that He gives us, as He gives the raindrops from heaven. No; He can only give it, and we can only enjoy it, as He works it Himself directly and unceasingly."

I would've liked more practical help on how to wait patiently, but in my entire life I've never read a book outside of the Bible that I highlighted more than this one. When I'm done with life and just want this whole mess to be over, Murray shows the blessed joy of turning to God and waiting expectantly for Him to work to turn my circumstances and my evil heart into something beautiful, and he does it all based on Scripture.
I highly recommend this book and Lord willing I will definitely be reading more of Andrew Murray in the future

[Kylee Leandro · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was not what I was expecting but I still really enjoyed it!

“True waiting happens in the silence, which reveals our meekness and utter dependence on him. It must come with a deep trust that God will, in his time, come to our help.”

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

again, they don't have my cover :/ it is from 1983

It has been said that it takes 30 days to change or add a habit.
If this is true and works for all, then we are basically renewing our minds to a new thing.

This book uses 31 chapters, which I laid out to read 1 a day for the month of October. As I was reading this I realized I was adding a principle of waiting on God to my mindset. The idea is WAITING, not expect it right away or before I need it, but wait on God for His perfect timing. This was good for my soul :-)

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started this ages ago, then lost it, and found it again weeks later. I've finally finished it! I love the premise of this book; the focus on waiting on God even when it is hard. It is a book worth reading. I only gave it three stars because the author repeats himself over and over again and I found his writing a little difficult to concentrate on. A book I recommend to everyone, despite my lower rating :)

[Kaylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book packs a punch. Multiple times I found myself sharing truths from its pages with my husband. As we sit in a season of waiting for some answers it was especially impactful but really it's a book about waiting in the Christian life, continually. May it be as encouraging to you as it was to me.

[Amber B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most encouraging books I've ever read. It's one to pick up time and time again.

[Faye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful! Waiting on God seems like the hardest things to do, but waiting on God is actually the easiest things to do, if you put your trust and confidence in His Sovereignty.

[Joy Rojas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a wonderful book!

[Andrew Flanagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Waiting on God" by Andrew Murray teaches that we should count it a privilege to wait on God. Just as the saints waited to see the promise of the coming messiah, and as we do now wait to see that promise fulfilled, waiting is an integral part of the Christian life. The book made me realize that I am not as patient as I could be. Murray helps you see that a suffering, patience, and waiting all go hand in hand. Murray writes with a reformed view of Gods sovereignty which gives purpose to this aspect of our lives. Valuable and practical writings.

[Alecia Rohrer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this in 2018 and honestly think I’ll add it as a regular daily read for me. The book consists of 31 short meditations on waiting on God. After re-reading this book (and Vroegop’s Waiting is Not a Waste - which quotes this book a LOT), I’m convinced that waiting on God is one of the absolute foundations of the Christian life/discipleship and needs to be talked about waaay more! Even with the 1800s language, this book was so good 🥹🤍

[Jen J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful and encouraging.

I am absolutely helpless, but I am absolutely sufficient in God.

“As a feeble, sickly invalid is brought out into the sunshine to let its warmth go through him, come with all that is dark and cold in you into the sunshine of God's holy, omnipotent love, and sit and wait there, with the one thought: Here I am, in the sunshine of His love.”

[Tanner Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one took me awhile but I’m a good way! Would work for different days throughout the summer, but wasn’t consistent with it every morning as I was reading the Psalms. Would still recommend, but liked Abide in Christ a little bit better!

[Brian Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was recommended this book during a season of unemployment due to a lay-off. This book was a much needed resource that helped me greatly refocus each day to Wait on God.

[Leya Delray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent little book on what can sometimes be a challenging part of the Christian life. How to wait well, why waiting is important, and why we can do it with courage and faith.

[EA Kellogg · Rating 4 out of 5]

andrew murray’s work in pointing us believers to Gods Word through this devotion was so good! would highly recommend anything by him

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going on round 3.
Really appreciate this book.
The cover art here and the version I have do a terrible disservice to the beauty, challenge and depth of Murray’s devotion.

[Riley G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I needed this for this season of my life. It’s so good—I’m certainly gonna read it again very soon.