Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.
Proverbs 13:12
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life,
But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
Proverbs 15:4
I am intrigued that both of these verses refer to something as being "a tree of life." One is fulfilled desire and the other is a wholesome tongue. Clearly there is a connection between desire fulfilled and a wholesome tongue. They go hand in hand. There is also a connection between sickness of heart and a broken spirit. They too are inseparably linked.
Many believers quote the initial line of Proverbs 13:12, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick," as if it were their life verse. There are many today who have gone through a season of disillusionment, especially when it relates to the church.
But their is a new day dawning and God is inviting us into a season when deferred hope becomes a thing of the past. Frankly, this opportunity to live in the blessing of God now has been around since Christ was raised from the dead. However, for most, the ability to remain in the faith necessary to sustain that kind of hope was insurmountable. It wasn't that the promises were not real but that our hearts were not strong enough to seize the substance of the established promise.
But God adds more grace and more wisdom and insight as we continually grow and assimilate all that he is saying and doing. We are not on a "limited income" as far as the kingdom is concerned. Literally, the more one can take in and assimilate, the more one can receive. In the kingdom, one's portion is determined by one's appetite. And this is affected by the context that we choose to live in. When we live in the context of eternity, we begin to live "in His countenance." Psalm 89:15. Taking it all in, awakening to the divine blessing, hearing the joyful sound, abounding in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit happens as we continually live in the light of His countenance. God's countenance places all earthly experiences, good or bad, into the context of eternity. And eternity is the great force in changing one's perspective.
But their is a new day dawning and God is inviting us into a season when deferred hope becomes a thing of the past. Frankly, this opportunity to live in the blessing of God now has been around since Christ was raised from the dead. However, for most, the ability to remain in the faith necessary to sustain that kind of hope was insurmountable. It wasn't that the promises were not real but that our hearts were not strong enough to seize the substance of the established promise.
But God adds more grace and more wisdom and insight as we continually grow and assimilate all that he is saying and doing. We are not on a "limited income" as far as the kingdom is concerned. Literally, the more one can take in and assimilate, the more one can receive. In the kingdom, one's portion is determined by one's appetite. And this is affected by the context that we choose to live in. When we live in the context of eternity, we begin to live "in His countenance." Psalm 89:15. Taking it all in, awakening to the divine blessing, hearing the joyful sound, abounding in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit happens as we continually live in the light of His countenance. God's countenance places all earthly experiences, good or bad, into the context of eternity. And eternity is the great force in changing one's perspective.
The time is fulfilled, Jesus said, the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe the good news.
People of God, if we will live in His countenance, "hope deferred" will be a thing of the past. We have been born again to a living hope. It is here now and we can enjoy it now.
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