Hope Deferred

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.” – Proverbs 13:12

Many are hurting these days.  Many are wondering whether things are going to get better any time soon.  Many are seeking answers but are only finding disillusion and hopelessness.  When Israel found their backs up against a wall (literally) being trapped between Pharaoh’s army and the Red Sea, God moved powerfully by parting the waters to allow the nation of Israel to escape certain death.    Esther, when she became aware that her people, the nation of Israel, were about to be annihilated chose to risk her life by presenting herself before the king seeking his favor and grace.  I believe many today are faced with the same choice, retreat into bondage and spiritual death by allowing the systems of this world to dictate their life and their future … or … choosing to establish their “beachhead,” the place from which they refuse to retreat, and determine they will move forward into their destiny because their focus (hope) will not be determined by the world’s systems but rather by God and His kingdom.

The term “hope deferred” in essence means “an ever-changing promise of a future reality or outcome.”  This is the world we live in.  Confusion is everywhere breeding greater and greater levels of division among the people.  Where vision is uncertain, “di”-vision takes hold.  Uncertainty is everywhere and in many ways is the basis for the fear, doubt, and unbelief that is so prevalent in our society (and in the church) today.  However, when we establish our lives (focus our vision) on that which is eternal, unchanging, just, and righteous then we have a firm foundation from which to build the lives we were created and destined to fulfill.  It is surprising to me how many would rather put their trust in an environment that is constantly changing than in one that is certain and established.  Maybe the answer lies in the old adage, “It’s better to live with the devil you do know, than the “devil” you don’t know,” or in other words living in the tyranny of the familiar.  If this is the case, then I have to ask, how many in the body of Christ really know God.  How many can say they know know Him to the degree that the know His ways, and are not simply familiar with some facts about Him.  We will know when the scripture above becomes our life.  As our desire for Him continues to grow and build to the point where we are no longer feeding from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil but where we are only feeding from the Tree of Life.