"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life." Proverbs 13:12
The word "deferred" above is the Hebrew word mashak and is means "draw out, prolong, or continue".
Last week my heart was beginning to get "sick" with waiting... waiting for a heart's desire.
The desire seemed to be at the top of a slippery rope of hope. The desire was just out of reach. Hope continued to show me it was there, but I was unable to attain the grip needed to reach the top of desire.
Fulfillment of the hope was just dangling in front of me saying wait a little longer. When we can see the hope, but it alludes us, it can be exasperating.
Faith whispered for me hold on to hope. Don't let go of the rope, you will attain your heart's desire!
However, disappointment turned into discouragement...
I prayed...God answered.
This post by Lysa Terkeurst was in my email inbox "The Place Where Disappointment Grows" It was God speaking to bring encouragement to my worn down heart.
Then, that night as I was reading the kids their devotional, God spoke again...My eyes overflowed with tears in awe of His presence and love for me.
My kids have Sarah Young's Jesus Calling 365 Devotions for Kids. These words were the words of the Lord printed on the page of September 27...
"I am constantly working in your life, even though you may not realize it. Especially when you are tired or hurt, or the day has had too many troubles, you may not notice Me at all. But I am there.
When you are tired, I am the One who is gently urging you on. When you are hurt, I am the One who is softly whispering, 'It's going to be okay.' And when you are overwhelmed, I am the One who is running before you, clearing the path of the things you just can't face today."
Then, as if that wasn't enough, it suggested reading Psalms 27:14. Again God spoke to my soul.
"Wait on the Lord;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord!" Psalms 27:14
"Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!". What music to my ears!
He strengthen my heart that day. A heart that had begun to grow weary with waiting was made new and strengthened with the encouragement of His Word. His Word helps us be of "good courage" or encouraged.
God says those who endure with faith and patience inherit the promise (Hebrews 6:12). Even when your heart's desire seems continually out of reach, keep waiting, keep believing, and keep hoping expecting a positive outcome.
Be of good courage, and WAIT on the Lord. He is never late.
Good morning Sue, thank you so much for re-sharing this post. God had led me to Proverbs 13:12 in my post just a few days ago. This was something I needed to hear - God's perfect timing!
ReplyDeleteHello sue, I really really really needed to hear this today. I feel like I am.dangling on that rope fighting off the hopelessness everyday that comes with the waiting. Thank you for this!
ReplyDelete