Have you ever felt like you’ve lost all hope in life? That’s a dark place to be. Human beings need hope to live as much as we need food or water. When Solomon writes in Proverbs 13:12, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick” he’s tapping into the deep sorrow we feel when we experience the tragedies of life in a fallen world. A Christian counselor once said, “Depression happens when a deeply desired goal or a dream becomes unattainable.” Yet, Proverbs provides a glimmer of hope for those of us who feel ourselves burdened with heart sickness: “but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” Proverbs reminds us that in the end the promises of God will overcome all the sadnesses we experience this life. That the righteous will find satisfaction, joy, and fulfillment. Adam lost the tree of life by his sin, but the Second Adam, Christ, redeems what was lost and paves the way for us to find that ultimate peace and satisfaction. That’s the promise to a heart-sick Christian — that a tree of life awaits in the future. And wisdom comes as our guide in the present to lead us every step of the way home. This is Understanding Proverbs. 

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