Within the book of Proverbs there are promises, and teachings, which if understood and followed will make us wise in the wisdom and knowledge of the Lord. But they are not there for us to just gloss over. Like with the rest of the Scriptures they are to be pondered.

Here is one such truth, with which we would certainly agree.

Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But desire fulfilled is a tree of life. (NASB2020)

Interestingly hope is connected here to desire. I say interestingly because we are not very hopeful for things to happen for which we have no desire. Think about that for a moment. Now, consider: you are the bread winner. You and your wife or husband, as the case may be, have discussed a much needed new car. You promised that this would happen soon, but 3 years later it has still not happened. Is your spouse having desired such, not to be heart sick over this? Likely you’ve had some serious or interesting discussions over this long delayed promise. However, had you told her initially that she would get a new car in three years, what would her expectations have been? Kid’s are the same. You tell them that next weekend we are going to the beach. If that doesn’t happen, you will hear about it.

If on the other hand, they don’t like the beach, probably not. So our desires with promises become what we build our hope upon. And we do not become heart sick so long as both the promise and our desire are met. So ponder if you will this promise:

Titus 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, (NASB2020)

There are apparently two ways to view this blessed hope spoken of by Paul. On the one hand we are told that the promise creating this hope was indeterminable as to a time for it to come to fruition. And that was because God wanted every believer in the gospel of Christ Jesus to possess this hope over the last 2000 years. But how can that be? For if there was nothing of substance to which to associate that perspective or to which to attach this hope; then one of two things must be true: Either believers are not to be desirous of this event; or if they are to desire it they must all be prepared for a heart sick Christian walk, for we are told that they were to be looking for it then and it was not coming.

But hold on, there is something to which to attach this hope. It’s attached to Jesus’ coming, and there are verifiable signs for this coming surrounding Israel herself. No, not for this any unknown moment coming, but for a coming after Israel would be scattered and regathered. The pre Tribulational coming has no signs we are told. That’s why it could have happened at any moment in the past or in the present/future. This coming is said to have been imminent. But had that been the case it was a hope destroyer.

Stated another way: it has not happened; it is not happening; and it may not happen at all — not in your lifetime.

What exactly is a sick heart, one whose desires are not met. It may be described as one having lost all hope. But, I told you that there was a second way to view this blessed hope. Verse 12 above in Titus 2, tells us that we are looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of Jesus. Why would God not have given us signs to which to lend expectation for this hope? In fact, were He to have done this; then there would be no reason for any heart sickness because of a failed hope. One which we know was not met. And ; then had He told us, we would know for what we are looking. And we would know when it is truly drawing near.

Am I expecting His coming for me? Yes, but not yet, because yes there is a Jewish State in place, but there is no Jewish Temple. Not yet.

2 Thessalonians 2:3 No one is to deceive you in any way! For [it will not come] unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. (NASB2020)

So to what do we attach our hope? God’s word tells us what we must look for. When you see the abomination of desolation; and all these things; then you will know that your blessed hope is near at the gate.

Matthew 24:33 so you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, [right] at the door. (NASB2020)

Your blessed hope is attached to this still future event. An event for which you long to see come. Your desire will not wane until you see Him. For Jesus is your hope. Jesus is the tree of life to which your hope is attached.

Warning: if your desire is to miss the coming events of Tribulation and it does not happen, don’t become heart sick your hope is still in Jesus and His coming.