The Holy Spirit spoke and said the words, "Hope Deferred" and I wasn't sure what they meant, so I tried to find scripture for it, which was Proverbs 13:12. I also prayed that the Holy Spirit would bring wisdom and revelation on the meaning of those words.I still wasn't quite sure what He was telling me so I searched for deeper studies on the topic. I found this post from Jehova.net and wanted to share the encouraging words with you.
Hope deferred (put off or prolonged) is a weariness (a vexation to the mind, an affliction to the soul, a sickness of heart); but when what is desired (that which is prayed for) comes (the answer to prayer that comes - a longing fulfilled), it is a tree of life (a realized source of power, our Savior). Proverbs 13:12.
Deferred hopes are unavoidable, in our current crisis and in life. We all must live with dreams that never quite materialize. We all have plans that never get off the ground. If we build our faith in God on the notion that if we serve Him the right way and know the right things to say, we will always get exactly what we want when we want it, our "faith" will not survive. Faith is not a sprint; it is a marathon. It is "he that endures to the end" that will be saved. Endurance is, among other things, about surviving deferred hopes.
"My soul, wait in silence for God only,
For my hope is from Him.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
My stronghold; I shall not be shaken."
Psalm 62:5,6
This character produces hope for your future, because you made it this far, & you will continue for I AM with you to teach you. Your hope in Me will never disappoint you.
We have discovered our life's meaning -- we know that our lives have a purpose and lasting worth -- all because we have been learning for the last many years to deal with our deferred hopes. So yes, deferred hopes do make our hearts sick. But, over time, how we deal with those deferred hopes seem to have the power to make our souls well.
"The word of the Lord tested Joseph until the day appointed for his vision (Joseph's dreams and hopes) to come to pass," the Psalm says.
I wonder if Joseph experienced any nights of despair in that prison? Surely he must have! Somehow though, he learned how to make his despair temporary and his hopes permanent. That's how he finally came to fill the place that God had been preparing for him to fill all along.
You can do the same. Here are four practical steps you can take every day to build a sure foundation of hope that will carry you through the storms of life:
1. Submit yourself to God. God is the source of our hope. Come to Him in humility and He will restore you according to His plan to bless and prosper you (1 Peter 5:6-7).
2. Strengthen your faith. Allow God's previously fulfilled promises to renew your hope. God has given us written record of countless ways He has provided hope for believers in centuries past. Look to these marvelous accounts for renewal (1 Chronicles 16:7-17) .
3. Trust God's timing. Sometimes God answers our prayers and fulfills our hopes quickly. At other times, for His own divine reasons, He allows us to wait. Remember, it was through faith and patience that Abraham's hope was fulfilled.
4. Thank God today. Though it's arduous to rejoice as we wait for hopes to be fulfilled, rejoicing enables God to perfect us in ways we are unable to see at the time. And this kind of hope, purified in the crucible of waiting, and sometimes suffering, "does not disappoint" (Romans 5:1-5).
As You Pray
Have you lost hope? You can regain lost hope, with Jesus' help. Right now, turn to the Author of all hope and rest in Him. Make the right sacrifice and trust in Him.... Contend with Him in prayer as Jacob did... God's covenant is for those that have faith in Him as did Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob... and the Scripture says for a thousand generations thereafter..... Selah (think about it) Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the issues of life... Proverbs 4:23
Pray this prayer:
"Father, forgive me for not seeing You as You truly are. Please use Your Word to encourage me. Help me to hide it in my heart. Let Your Holy Spirit direct me moment-by-moment as I wait in the hope You have given me through our Lord Jesus Christ. In Jesus' name. Amen."
God's Word on Hope
"This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast" (Hebrews 6:29a).
Scriptures for Study
Hebrews 6:10-19, Romans 5:1-11 -- God's precious promise of hope.
