“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” Proverbs 13:12
All of God’s promises are “yes and amen”, yet when the promise appears to be delayed our hearts can become sadden as we wait for the manifestation of what was promised. It is during these time when we must remind ourselves that God is faithful to keep every promise. When the promise seems to be delayed Hebrews 10:23 reminds us to hold unswervingly to the hope we profess because God is faithful to keep His promises.
I’m sure many of you have experienced a delay in something you were longing for the fulfillment of. The delay of what is hoped for can be very painful when we set our expectations on when we think God should come through. God has a set time for everything.
Has God given you a promise that has yet to be fulfilled? Delay is not denial. There have been times in my own life in which I’ve been waiting and longing for a specific promise to be fulfilled. Sometimes things got worse while I was waiting. During those times, I’ve wondered did I misinterpret God’s intentions? Was it all in my head? Where are the promised blessings?
It’s during the times of waiting we have to remind ourselves that God’s plan is never to harm you. He has a good plan for our lives to prosper us and give a future we can’t even begin to imagine with our natural minds (Jer. 29:11).
Our faith may be challenged, but we need to patiently endure so that we continue to do the will of God. Never give up on what God has promised you. Don’t use the delayed promise as a reason to grumble against God.
During times of waiting, we’re inclined to grumble and to complain about our circumstances. God graciously reminds us that we must remember what He has already done for us. So, take a moment and look back on how the hand of God has always been present in your life. Remember how God sustained you during difficult seasons of life. Remember how God miraculously healed you. Remember that impossible prayer request that God answered. Remember how you had no money and an envelope just showed up in the mail with exactly the amount you needed.
Never give up the hope of enjoying the desired blessing. Trust God even when life doesn’t make sense. There is a purpose in what you are going through. Trust in the Lord with all of your heart. Don’t depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all that you do and He will continue to guide you while you are waiting on the fulfilment of the promise.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Blessings,
Dr. Francine
Note: All Scriptures are taken from the New International Version unless otherwise noted.
BEYOND CHURCH WALLS 