“Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.” ~ Proverbs 13:12, NKJV
I love this proverb because it is comfort for the longing heart. Really, whatever it is we think we're longing for, the truth is we only want the Lord. We were created with a desire for Him built into our souls. When Adam sinned, the fellowship we had with the Lord was broken, and our souls went hungry as a result. Cut off from the only One who can satisfy our longing hearts, we seek to fill that hole with anything and everything we think might assauge our heartache: beauty, success, food, activity, learning, relationships, etc. But because none of those things can take the place of God, we are always disappointed. Our hope of satisfaction is constantly deferred. The disappointment and disillusionment and the unrelenting spiritual hunger gnaws at our souls and leaves us sick at heart. BUT WHEN THE DESIRE COMES...when we accept what Christ has done to restore our fellowship with God at an even greater level of intimacy than we had in Eden...IT IS A TREE OF LIFE! (Literally!) In Christ we find the satisfaction for our souls. In Christ we have access to the fountain of living water that slakes our the desire of our hearts and never leaves us wanting. I need to be reminded of this so often! Even though I'm saved, I still battle with my flesh, and my flesh resists the Lord and persists in its futile efforts to find satisfaction elsewhere. I long for heaven...I long for the presence of God forever, and I can hardly wait for the day when He will come!—by Rebecca
The LORD is near to all who call upon Him,
To all who call upon Him in truth.
He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;
He also will hear their cry and save them.
The LORD preserves all who love Him,
But all the wicked He will destroy.
My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD,
And all flesh shall bless His holy name
Forever and ever.—Psalm 145:18-20
Delight yourself also in the LORD,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.—Psalm 37:4
