Oceans in the Desert

By Kathi Pelton

“Hope deferred (delayed) makes the heart sick, but a dream (desire) fulfilled is a tree of life.” Proverbs 13:12

I was praying for people who are living amid what I saw in the spirit as “hope deferred.” As I was praying, I saw a vision of many hearts. Within these hearts I saw the hope, that we have been given through Christ Jesus, being continually pushed out— to the point that it was “out of reach.” In the place where hope once lived, grief and heart-break took up residence. This grief and hopelessness became like a sickness that began to spread through the body, the soul and even the spirit of those whose hearts were being attacked.

As I prayed further, I saw the word “deferred” flashing like a siren light in the heart. It would change to the word “delayed” and then back to “deferred” again and again. I understood that in the midst of a challenging time the enemy was coming with a tormenting demonic declaration, being shouted into the ears of people facing delayed hopes and promises yet to be fulfilled. Each time they prayed, rallied their faith or began to hope again, the words delayed and deferred would come like a legal notification to evict hope.

There is a familiar promise in Jeremiah 29:11 that we quote often as believers,

“’For I know the plans I have for you’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”

The enemy hates hope— he hates God’s plans for us because he knows that all of God’s plans equal defeat for his plans to kill
and destroy. So, he seeks to send the message of despair to those who put their hope in the Lord. This repetitive message of deference and delay wears down the “one who hopes” until hope turns to dispair. It can feel like hope has been given a legal eviction notice from the heart that has trusted in the Lord. BUT, his eviction of hope is not legal— it is absolutely illegal! And it will make a person heartsick or sick at heart— do not receive it.

It is time to evict the one who is bringing this false declarations that seeks to evict your hope. As I saw the vision of hope being pushed out of hearts with the words “deferred and delayed” (repetitively), I heard the Lord say,

“Come into My courts and stand as a key witness to a crime that has occurred. It is a crime against your heart that belongs to Me. It is the criminal act called, ‘Breaking and Entering.’ Evict the thief and watch as I restore your broken heart.”

This is a illegal attack against hearts that have been given to Jesus (that comes to evict hope) is a false and an illegal summons. It is nothing less than thievery by the one who comes to kill and destroy. But the One who gives abundant life is with you to restore you.

“After all your season of suffering, God in all his grace will restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you.” 1 Peter 5:10

God is even now dealing with this robbery of hope that has caused great sickness to come to the hearts of many of his people. Agree with Him, cooperate with Him and reject every lie that has been sent against God’s truth and promises. As you do this, I see God’s gavel coming down to declare the restoration of hope, the strengthening and healing of hearts and even the establishment of desires (dreams) fulfilled for many of you. Remember, His timing is perfect so trust Him. Know this, “God has never left you or forsaken you.”

“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8

I hear in my spirit the prayer of Hannah, the prayer of the woman with the issue of blood, the prayer of the blind man at the pool of Bethesda, the prayer of Job and so many more. God turned their delay into victory and their suffering into a historic testimony of his faithfulness. Once again, here is 1 Peter 5:10 in a different version,

“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

You will come out of this stronger and better then you would have been if the enemy had never caused you to suffer. Not only will God receive great glory from your victory but you will be more firm and steadfast in hope then you ever imagined. You will even be anointed to heal the brokenhearted. God’s Isaiah 61:1-3 declaration will come upon you with power and authority,

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord.”

This will be your new declaration— a legal declaration to replace the illegal one of delay and the eviction of hope. Your victory will be the testimony of victory and freedom for many. Jeremiah 29:11 will be restored with faith and hope as it’s words restore hearts.

Take joy— God is turning your mourning into dancing!

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