Proverbs 13

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” (Proverbs 13:12)

Lord, I wonder how many people use the first half of this verse to justify the demand to obtain or get whatever things are desired within the mind, body, and soul of each person?  In keeping withour world, everything is centered around “self” and everyone deserves to have whatever they desire to make themselves happy and content.  What more does “satisfying oneself” do that to foster one’s own pride; the very thing that the Lord hates.

Yes, not getting the things we hope for or desire can make us discouraged or disappointed.  But to God’s point, our hope has been misplaced if that is the case.  The Lord calls us to place our hope in him; a hope that will not disappoint.  Our hope in the life of Christ is certain.  It is all that we can rely on.  That hope in Christ goes beyond a phsyical desire for this or that; it is a longing for a true and lasting relationship with the one true God.  It is a longing fulfilled; to be in realtionship with the one true God.  Lord, you are the source of all hope an life.