I was driving to work this morning listening to a Pastor out of Houston. He is a fantastic teacher from whom I’ve gleaned many wonderful nuggets of truths I knew, but hadn’t thought of in that light before.

It was this particular morning that he was talking about hope. As usual my mind started spinning from the various things I know about hope, to what God’s spirit was teaching me about hope.

There wasn’t anything spectacular that he said this morning it just happens to be a place that I’ve struggled with in the past few months. So my ears picked up on it and my mind went tumbling after it.

Proverbs 13:12 tells us that: Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

By definition (Strong’s) that word deferred simply means to prolong, delay.

I often have that feeling that I’m in a constant state of deferred hope. It seems that hope like money is always coming, but never here. I’m always on the precipice of something great.

Like waiting for the circus to come, hope is forever on the outskirts of town.

It’s amazing how well we adapt to our circumstances never daring to break out of the mold that the enemy places on us?

It’s amazing how much we let the enemy twist the scriptures in our mind until we have lost all hope, meaning and purpose

This is what hit me this morning like a brick in the face. This is the only reason I’m bringing it up.

Hope deferred, also means hope sown makes your heart sick. The word sick means; to grieve or to be worn down. However, when the desire or longing comes it is a tree of life. The tree here is referencing its strength rather than its identity.

As I begin to meditate on the implications of this one verse I have heard all of my life, I see the heart of God in my journey stronger than I have ever seen it before.

The simple matter of fact is; I have to sow my hope to reap my desire so that it becomes my tree of life.

Can you see that?

You have to sow your hope to reap your desire.

It has to cost you something to receive what God has for you. It is going to cause you some sleepless nights and storm filled skies. It will bring you to your knees with tear laden eyelids and heartbroken sobs. It will have your emotions being literally torn into pieces.

But the desire will come, there is always an ending.

I will leave you with the greatest example of this verse I know.

Luke 22:44

And being in agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Jesus literally sweated His life blood into the ground for us.

Oh my goodness what a perfect example of what hope deferred means. His hope was our redemption. He sowed it with his own blood, not just in the garden but at the cross John 19. He did this for us so that He could bring us to His home that He’s prepared for us. John 14:1-3

His desire is us. That sounds simple but it is light years beyond simple.

Jesus desire is you and I and He sowed His hope to gain us. His desire comes when we give Him our lives and his reward is the tree of life called eternity. What a beautiful message of salvation.

That is what I heard this
morning. This is what had me reeling in my seat, so overwhelmed by yet another example of His great love for me.

The Pastors message series I am listening to is; “Our Eternal Inheritance” He is teaching from I Peter 1. I’m so glad I was able to tune in otherwise I might have missed hearing God speak to me of hope this morning. Hope that is sown becomes an eternal desire for us.

The hope that I sow is my life, my whole life not just the parts I don’t want to handle. Just as Christ gave me His life I must give Him mine. The rewards are so mind blowing that it’s impossible for me to believe that people actually tell Him no. Yet they do.

Our desire manifested is the eternal reward of His Glory and the tree of life is everlasting eternity with Jesus.

Psalms 16:9-11

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.

For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Today wherever you are on the road of life, wherever your journey is taking you, remember that your desires fulfillment is in the life yet to come. As children of Christ our destiny awaits us there.

So go ahead sow those tears here and reap his blessings there.

This is your tactical, practical training camp here. It’s okay, you are going to make it just fine~

Breathe deep start digging and let go of everything you are hoping for. Sow deep in the plowed soil of your heart and watch the master gardener turn it into your greatest desire.

 

Much love to all~

I’m hid with Christ!

Shawn