Hope Deferred

Mini Sermon by C. Emerson Strain

We all desire a perfect walk with God. Good things always happening. Good health, good friends, all our needs being met. But when adversity comes, it can overwhelm us. Adversity can come by loss of friends, loss of finances, loss of health, loss of anything that is dear to our heart. Even our hearts desires, when withheld, can be an adversity.

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

I enjoy these small caveats of scripture; the ones that most people quickly read over, not taking time to understand their significance. This simple scripture shows us that when you hope for something, and it seems it will never be within your grasp, it makes your heart sick. You could be wanting to date someone special, or hoping for a job, or wanting to go to a certain school; what ever the desire is, it seems to be withheld from you.

When ever this trial of a heart felt desire works on your soul, always remember what the Bible says for our admonition.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness: and all these things shall be added unto you. Mat 6:33

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3 John 1:2

For the Lord God is sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. Psalms 84:11

It is so important that you seek personal growth or spiritual growth in the time of adversity. You have to grow closer to the Lord even when you don't feel like you are getting anywhere.

The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold: therefore shall he beg in the harvest, and have nothing. Prov 20:4

This is not a "name it and claim it" teaching. Our goal in life is to have eternal life as our goal. This life will pass away.

Jesus said, Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. Luke 21:33, Mark 13:31, Mat 24:35

King David was a man after God's own heart. He looked at his adversity as a trial to know the Lord better.

"I will be glad and rejoice in the mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities." Psalms 31:7

So keep in mind, when you almost feel like giving up, don't give up. God will finish the work that he began in your life.

If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. Prov. 24:10

Both sides of the Scripture in Prov. 13:12 is true.

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

When God lets the true desire come forth, it becomes a tree of life.

In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him. Eccl 7:14

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