Read: Proverbs 13

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. (v. 12)

The writer of Proverbs was called the wisest man who lived. He was quite possibly the wealthiest and most powerful too. But Solomon was human, and he knew what it was to be heartsick. Unfortunately, it is part of our human experience. Neither wealth, power, fame, nor wisdom can stop it. “For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow” (Eccl. 1:18).

Solomon learned that it is possible to know too much; on this side of the garden of Eden, we’ve tasted only the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Yet when desire is fulfilled, it’s as if we’ve tasted the tree of life, he says. We feel able to thrive anew, ready to live forever.

When I’ve forcefully fulfilled my own desires, the results have been disastrous. But waiting, allowing God to shape my hopes and dreams, has delivered me to a place of life, with branches overhead to shade, and roots underneath to sustain.

Advent reminds us of an ultimate fulfillment of desire; the “hope of every longing heart” has come as God’s answer to our heartsick condition. We are wanted. Our desire for perfect love is no longer thwarted. In Christ, we can taste the fruit of the tree of life.

—Amy Clemens

Prayer:
Giver of good gifts, thank you for Christ, the ultimate tree of life. May our desires take shape in his shade, our lives be fulfilled from his roots.