Hopes and Longings 期盼和渴望
Dexu Xia
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12
When I moved to England, the American holiday of Thanksgiving became just another Thursday in November. Although I created a feast the weekend after, I longed to be with family and friends on the day. Yet I understood that my longings weren’t unique to me. We all yearn to be with people dear to us on special occasions and holidays. And even when we’re celebrating, we may miss someone who’s not with us or we may pray for our fractured family to be at peace.
During these times, praying and pondering the wisdom of the Bible has helped me, including one of King Solomon’s proverbs: “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life” (Proverbs 13:12). In this proverb, one of the pithy sayings through which Solomon shared his wisdom, he notes the effect that “hope deferred” can have: the delay of something much longed for can result in angst and pain. But when the desire is fulfilled, it’s like a tree of life—something that allows us to feel refreshed and renewed. Some of our hopes and desires might not be fulfilled right away, and some might only be met through God after we die. Whatever our longing, we can trust in Him, knowing He loves us unceasingly. And, one day, we’ll be reunited with loved ones as we feast with Him and give thanks to Him (see Revelation 19:6–9). By: Amy Boucher Pye
When have you felt sick because of an unfulfilled longing? How did God meet you in your time of need?
God our Creator, You fulfill my deepest longings. I give You my hopes and my desires, asking You to grant them according to Your wisdom and love.
所盼望的迟延未得，令人心忧；所愿意的临到，却是生命树。—箴言13章12节
自从我搬到英国之后，美国人的感恩节就变成只是十一月份的某个星期四。虽然那个周末我也准备了大餐，但我真正渴望的是能与家人和朋友一同过节。我相信不仅只有我会如此渴望，许多人都会每逢佳节倍思亲。我们在欢庆的时刻，应该会特别思念无法到场的亲友，或许也会祈求上帝让我们有隔阂的家人能和好。
在这样的时刻，祷告和默想圣经的智慧能使我得帮助，例如所罗门王说：“所盼望的迟延未得，令人心忧；所愿意的临到，却是生命树”（箴言13章12节）。这是所罗门王分享其智慧的精辟箴言之一，他指出“所盼望的迟延未得”可能产生的影响：当我们迟迟未能得到极度渴望的事物时，就会带来烦恼和痛苦；一旦得偿夙愿，就如同生命树，能使我们精神振奋、活力焕发。
我们有些期盼和渴望或许无法立刻得到满足，有些甚至要到我们离世之后才由上帝成就。但无论我们渴望些什么，我们都可以信赖上帝，因为祂对我们的爱永不止息。有一天，我们将与祂同享盛宴并向祂献上感谢，也将与挚爱的亲友团聚（参阅启示录19章6-9节）。
你何时曾因渴望未得满足而烦恼痛苦？
在你有需要时，上帝如何满足你呢？
上帝，我们的创造主啊，祢能满足我最深的渴望。我要将内心的期盼与渴望交托给祢，求祢按祢的智慧与慈爱为我成就。