“Hope deferred,” or put off “maketh the heart sick,” hope in the Bible is not just some kind of wishful thinking. Hope is an expectation, or definite reality, that hasn’t shown up yet.
“For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?” (Romans 8:24).
“Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:11-12).
“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy” (I Thessalonians 2:19-20).
“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).
Christians are heartsick over the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ hasn’t returned for His church yet. They’ve lain loved ones into the earth that had hoped they would be alive when He came, but it was not to be. But bless God they’ll be the first to go when He does return. Hope deferred is discouraging.
“. . . but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life,” one day, the desire of the believer is going to come.
“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart” (Psalms 37:4).
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