“Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.” (Proverbs 13:12)
Balaam sat in obscurity, waiting, hoping that his “day in the sun” would finally arrive. For years no one knocked on his door. His “gifts,” his talents, were largely unused. Would he ever fulfill his destiny? Would he ever receive the recognition he believed he deserved? Would he ever get to fully shine as the prophet he knew himself to be? The months turned into years until one day the opportunity came knocking. His heart leapt within him when he was told that he was wanted, he was “needed,” for a very important task that would require his special skills. Though he feigned having to seek God about the matter, there was never really any doubt about whether he would fall for the bait. Balak knew how to exploit Balaam’s “bucket list.”
Be assured: the enemy of men’s souls knows how to lure every one of us to our death. He does it with our most cherished dreams. He does it with things we think good. He does it with our deferred hopes. He comes with fruit from the tree of life. Only the wise see through his ruse and refuse his offer.
The devil’s “tree of life” will surely kill you. Destroy your idols before they destroy you.