Proverbs Chapter 13: Verse 12 (NIV)
Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
Micah Chapter 7: Verse 7 (NIV)
But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord,
I wait for God my Savior;
my God will hear me.
Life can throw us curveballs sometimes. How do we react when something we’ve hoped for, or someone we’ve put our hope in, doesn’t come through the way we wanted them to? Disappointed and upset, most likely as the proverb suggests. Micah had prophesied about the judgement that was facing the people Israel as a consequence of their actions and behaviour. They seemed to have put their hopes and trust n all manner of things, except God Himself. Their goals seemed to be only to look after number one. Yet Micah knew that even in the midst of all of that, he could still trust in the mercy and justice of God, and he held on to that.
If we follow Micah’s example, then even in our disappointment we know that we can put our hope and trust in God. Its too easy to put our hope and trust in people or circumstances who may fail. Nicky Gumbel put it very wisely in today’s “Bible in One Year reading” when he said that we should never put any pressure on anyone to be perfect. None of us or can be after all except Jesus. We can also trust that if we rightly and justly have to face the consequences of our actions or behaviour, we can still rely on the grace and mercy of God. As the old hymn says…
“My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ Name.
On Christ the solid rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand…”
Dear Lord,
Thank You that Your word is living and active, and was just what I needed to hear today. Thank You that we can always put our hope and trust in You, even if people and circumstances appear to go awry. Help me to remember the rock on which I stand. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.