EmmDev 2020-04-14 [Perspective: God, Faith and Covid19] Hope deferred and found

Hope deferred and found

Just before the Easter Weekend our President announced that our country's lockdown is to be extended by two weeks. While this decision makes sense to our heads, I think there are many whose hearts sank at the news of another two weeks of lockdown.

In Proverbs we read that "hope deferred makes the heart sick." (13:12)
This is absolutely true. No-one likes it when the goalposts are shifted. It's like chasing a rainbow or following a mirage in the desert. Every time you crest the hill, your goal has moved to just out of reach. For many who were giving their all to get through this time, the extension may seem like a mountain.

There are many in our circles of connection and influence who have "sick hearts" right now. It might be you who has a "sick heart" even as you read this.

On His most significant day, the day of His resurrection, Jesus took a chunk of time to walk with two unknown dejected disciples. (We think that they were a husband and wife, Mary and Clopas.) While it is a beautiful facet in the accounts of Jesus' Resurrection, it is also a beautiful picture of the restoration(resurrection) of hope. Jesus uses caring conversation (questions, listening and talking) and Scripture to "set their hearts on fire again."

There is another proverb that reads "Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land." Right now we are "distant" from our neighbours, friends, families, colleagues, fellow congregants and associates. Many of them are struggling with sick hearts.

Let me urge and challenge you:


You could be cold water to a weary (thirsty) soul.
- Pick up the phone
- Write a message
- Have a video call.
- Connect, Care, Listen.
- Encourage, Empathise, Listen and Comfort

And if it is your heart that is sick, maybe one of the best things you could do is reach out to someone. Ask for help or offer help - it could turn your tide.

You could set a heart on fire again.
Don't delay - it could make a world of difference.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. (Proverbs 13:12) He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?" "What things?" he asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.  The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.  In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning  but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive.  Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."  He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!  Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?"  And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. ... They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" (Luke 24:17-32) Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land. (Proverbs 25:25)

---