Scripture for Today: Proverbs 13:12 “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.”

As the youngest child in my family, I was enthusiastic about any tradition that might give me an edge over my three siblings!  This old superstition says that whoever ends up with the largest part of the bird’s “wishbone” when pulled apart, can make a wish that will surely come true.  As I did not become the richest person in the world, this belief is officially debunked!  However, one can always hope!

According to our verse for today, hope that is not fulfilled can make a heart sick.  To continually hope in something that is not to happen is just sad.  Barring divine intervention, a sterile woman may never give birth, a hoped-for reconciliation may never take place and world peace may never become a reality.  Hoping that has nothing to recommend it but wishful thinking is a flimsy hope.

What a contrast it is to have a solid hope.  Flimsy wishful thinking does not resemble in the least the sure hope we have in God’s promises.  This kind of hope never makes our hearts sick.  There will one day be a time when this hope is fulfilled.  A tree of life awaits us in Paradise (Rev. 22:1-2).  Every desire will be realized.  There will no longer be any need to hope.  Hopes will be fulfilled.

My heart can be sickly if I am hoping in the wrong things.  But when my hope is firmly place in God, the God of hope, my heart becomes strong and courageous! (Psalm 31:24)  He never disappoints.  He never goes back on His promises.  He Himself is the fulfillment of all my hope.

Regardless of what this day brings Lord, keep my heart strong, hoping in You.

Look familiar?  This is a summer re-post due to ministry schedule.