Hope Deferred

Enduring Hope, An LGG Study / Week 1 The Nature of Hope

Today’s Reading / proverbs 13:12 / SOAP verse 12

Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
    but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

Proverbs 13:12

Such a tiny verse and such a great message. I found it helpful as I journaled to clarify a few things in order to unpack the meaning.

• Hope is a feeling of expectation and desire or longing for a certain thing to happen.
  • examples include things like pregnancy, a much needed job, a loved one’s salvation, or the healing of a disease…
• Deferred means to put off or postpone until a later time.
  • this is not always a controlled or chosen action (see examples above)
• Heart, in this sentence, is not referring to our physical organ but rather to the spiritual part of us where the emotions and desires dwell.
• Desire is another word for hope
• Fulfilled is something accomplished or completed.
• Tree of Life in the Scriptures signifies “renewal of life” or to be refreshed, a breath of fresh air, renewed strength or joy, encouragement …

These observations may not seem necessary since they are all familiar words or phrases; however I find them helpful in fully appreciating the warning and wisdom of this proverb. The warning being we can’t always control when or if we will receive what we desire – but we can control how we respond in the waiting. Do we allow our crushed hopes and disappointment to drive us to bitterness and anger or do we let it lead us closer to the Savior? Do we succumb to “heart sickness” – allowing ourselves to fall into despair, depression, anxiety, and even actual physical sickness? Or, do we endure the wait with our faith planted firmly in God? I believe the answer lies in whether we want our desire more than we want God’s will and His perfect timing.

When our hope is deferred, we can cling to the hope we have in Christ, the one hope that will never be deferred. –

An LGG Team Member

Father, when hope is deferred help us to trust in You, Your will and Your perfect timing – and to want these things more than the desire we seek. Help us to not give up! – Amen and amen