“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life. He who despises the word will be destroyed, but he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.” Prov 13:12-13 (NKJ)
In our spiritual journey one important fact we soon learn is that God, the devil and life are no respecter of persons. So, it really does not matter who or what you are because your faith will be tested or proofed and strengthened as God takes you on a deeper walk with Him. He will use these trying periods to make something better of your life and duly incorporate His character as well as His many wonderful attributes into you. One vital lesson that we must quickly learn is the need to hope in God as we await the fulfilment of His promise to us.
Like everyone else, the psalmist, King David had his own trying times when difficult circumstances left him prone to despair and depression. Yet, he realised that his only hope of beating the negative effects of living a pressured life is by completely trusting in God’s goodness and relying on His unchanging character and word. Nevertheless, it is one thing to understand the facts of God’s provision for our situation and another to deal with the emotional demands our situation forces upon us. Despite the fact that David understood God’s character and also believed God’s promise concerning him, his human nature meant that he still had difficulty aligning his frayed emotions with the reality of God’s character and so occasionally slipped into bouts of depression.
David was totally convinced that God would fulfil His promise to him. Therefore, he used this fact as a leverage to challenge and stir himself up by speaking to himself and asking, “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.” Ps 42:5 (NKJ) David realised that he had to encourage himself and therefore break free of the depression, which the enemy wanted to impose on him. So, he anchored his faith in the hope or expectation of seeing the fulfilment of God’s promise. However, he did not stop there. David further pushed himself away from the precipice of depression by anticipating the end of his difficulties as well as the joyful praise he would offer to God in appreciation for causing him to triumph over the difficulties of his life. This is the reason he could say that “For His anger is but for a moment, his favour is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” Ps 30:5 (NKJ)
Therefore, if you presently feel dejected because God is seemingly delaying to fulfil His promise, you can instead choose to pass that time, not in misery and depression, but in anticipation of what God is about to do in you in fulfilment of His promise to you. Speak words of encouragement to yourself like David did and banish the feeling of despondency, despair and depression far from your doorstep.
As we conclude this week of defining, understanding and appropriating biblical hope, why not meditate on the following bible verses – Prov 17:22; 18:20-21.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, my hope is always in you. I choose to follow your ways this day and always, so that I may rise on Eagles wings to attain the heights and plans you have prepared for me.