hope

God has been teaching me a lot about hope lately. I believe hope is one of the best things to have, especially when your hope is alive. According to the Bible when a hope or longing is fulfilled it is sweet to the soul or a tree of life.

"..a longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul.." proverbs 13:19

Just a few verses above this one is proverbs 13:12

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life."

That last verse I have thought about a lot of times. I read over it a couple of weeks ago and prayed repeatedly, Lord please don't let my heart grow sick. I know how important the heart is. I know that it says above all else, to guard the heart for it is the wellspring of life. (proverbs 4:23)


Isn't God good how He reveals things to us?

I looked up a ton of verses on hope and this is that God showed me...

When our eyes are so focused on God, our hope will never disappoint because He IS our hope.

Psalm 42:5

Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him
For the help of His countenance.

Psalm 62:5

My soul, wait only upon God and silently submit to Him; for my hope and expectation are from Him.

Isaiah 40:31

But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.

1 Timothy 6:17

As for the rich in this world, charge them not to be proud and arrogant and contemptuous of others, nor to set their hopes on uncertain riches, but on God, Who richly and ceaselessly provides us with everything for [our] enjoyment.


So to all of those who feel like proverbs 13:12, (the Messge puts it like this)

Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around.

Don't let your situation, or your "unrelenting disappointment" become your god. I have done it before, and living that way never leads to a life of peace or joy. Let God and His Word/promises be your hope.


Ending with Romans 15:4

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Whatever youre going through be encouraged through the Scriptures and get excited about all God wants to do through you and for you!