Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.
This has been a scripture that has ministered to me over and over again. The definition of hope is the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best.
Romans 8:28 (NKJV)
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
We can rest assured in the feeling of hope because when we love God and want His purpose for our lives, He is sure to make it work out for our best! We receive this hope through Jesus. When we commit ourselves to reading the Word of God, it keeps us in a state of hope. God cannot lie and all of His promises are true. This does not change the fact that waiting can make us sick. Waiting can make us question God. It also makes us doubt the very promise that we have been given. The waiting process can be hard and grueling, but we must encourage ourselves in the Lord and continuously remind ourselves of His word. He says that when the promise comes it is like a tree of life. (Notice that it doesn’t say if it comes.) What we hope for is not only coming but it is going to be more awesome than we can imagine. The tree of life is defined in the dictionary as:
2. a tree in the heavenly Jerusalem with leaves for the healing of the nations. Rev. 22:2.
What God wants to work in us while we are waiting in hope is everlasting life and healing for the nations. I’ve got news for you. It’s not all about us. What he gives us will bring healing for others. He also wants us to be consistent in prosperity, bearing multiple kinds of fruit that produces its fruit every month. A constant stream of blessing!
Revelation 22:2 (NKJV)
2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
I don’t know about you, but I can’t perform this kind of success in my own strength. We need to stay in God’s timing and let Him finish the work in us so that we can obtain this kind of result! Be encouraged while you’re waiting. Focus your thoughts on God’s goodness. Put your trust in His promises and continue to press into His presence through prayer and worship. I challenge you to begin to praise God for what He has promised you. Praise Him like you have already received what you have been waiting for. God is faithful and your time is coming!
Father, we thank you for your faithfulness. We thank You that You want things to work out for our best. We put our trust in You and wait in great expectation for our promise to be released like a tree of life into our lives. Forgive us for growing weary and being discouraged. Show us how to encourage ourselves with Your word. We don’t want to interfere with your process by trying to work things out in our own strength. Help us stay in your will and receive the promise that will bring healing to the nations. We praise you in advanced for completing our process. You alone are worthy of all of the glory. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!