If you’ve ever had to wait on the Lord for a new position or in a difficult circumstance then you know that not only is it uncomfortable, it can be painfully hard. In my own life, I’ve had to wait on the Lord. For six and a half years my family didn’t know where my dad was living, until one day the Lord brought him back into our lives. There have been many other times in my life where I’ve had to wait on the Lord. This is why when I saw Dr. Wayne Stiles new book Waiting on God: What to Do When God Does Nothing, I knew I needed to read this book.
Waiting on God is a helpful book. In this book, the author unpacks the Old Testament story of Joseph, showing how readers can find comfort and purpose in waiting on the Lord. This book has three parts. In part one, Stiles explores how to find true satisfaction in the Lord, growing in the Lord, and dealing with difficult situations in life. In part two, the author considers the need to grow in humble places, forgiveness, and how to view ordinary opportunities in our daily lives as a gift from the Lord. In the final section of the book, Stiles helps us to think through the hope of dying with unfulfilled dreams.
There is much in this book I liked. The author notes, “I’m convinced the primary way we apply God’s providence to our lives is by waiting” (16). He explains, “By waiting on God, we affirm our belief in his providence. We trust his timetable. We hope in heaven. Waiting on God is inseparably bound to our belief in the sovereignty of God to bring about the good he promises” (17). He also says, “Waiting is often the application of many other, more abstract, biblical qualities of character” (17). The author also explains, “Little things reveal the heart—the platform of true success” (130).
The test of a good Christian book is whether it is biblical and practical. This book excels at its biblical teaching but is weak on personal application. The best part of this book is how the author faithfully walks his readers through the biblical story of Joseph.
The one area where I wish this book was stronger was on what it means to wait on the Lord in day to day life. As I read this book, I kept waiting and wondering, when he would discuss what it means to wait on the Lord in our day to day lives. While this book has some application on what it means to wait on the Lord in reading this book, I was expecting more in the way of personal application to help me and other Christians learn more about what it means to wait on the Lord in the day to day of everyday life. One way the author could have improved this book is if he had shared more personal stories from his own life, insights that he’s learned along the way on what it means to wait on the Lord in everyday life, or even examples of other Christians history from church who’ve waited on the Lord well.
Waiting on God is a very helpful book. This book will help you to understand the story of Joseph and some of what it means to wait on the Lord. In a day and age when we are all going so fast, this book is a much-needed reminder about why we need to wait on the Lord. God’s plans are higher and better than our plans. I recommend this book and believe every thoughtful praying Christian should read it.
I received this book for free from Baker Books for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
