“Therefore,
we do not lose heart.” – 2 Corinthians 4:16
The writer of Hebrews
admonished us not let the sun go down before we found someone to encourage (Hebrews
3:13). I have never met a person yet who does
not like encouragement. Even the most independent people still need affirmation
and reassurance, whether they will admit it or not. Building up the Body of
Christ in love is a vital ministry (Ephesians 4:29; 1 Thessalonians
5:11).
The timid among us need encouragement most of all (1 Thessalonians 5:14). We treat those, which God put into our care as caring parents treat
their children. We encourage, comfort and admonish them to live lives that are
worthy of God’s calling (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12). Jude even encourages us to encourage our self (Jude
1:20).
We never have to lose
heart. Even when we realize that our body is aging, we are encouraged by the
thought that our spirit and soul are renewed day by day. When we face trials
and affliction we are encouraged to realize that these troubles prepare for us
an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. When we do not see the
answers to our prayers, God encourages us not to look at the things that are
seen, but to the things that are unseen; the things that are seen are
temporary, but the things that are unseen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
As long as we live in this sin-cursed world, we will have troubles, but Christ in us already overcame them for us (John 16:33). If we trust Him through them, He will give us His peace in them, which transcends all human understanding (Philippians 4:7). God calls us to put the interests of others above our own interests (Philippians 2: 3-4). As encouragers, we cry when someone cries and rejoice with those who rejoice (Romans 12:15). We can even remind each other that in the end times, we will meet our deceased friends and relatives in the rapture of all the Saints at the coming of the Lord in the clouds (1 Thessalonians 4:18).
There is rejoicing in heaven when one sinner comes to
repentance (Luke 15:7). The most
important encouragement we can give anyone is to secure a place in God’s
eternal home by confessing that they are sinners in need of a Savior (Romans 3:23, 6:23). In doing this they receive the
promise of everlasting life. They see things differently from then on, being
more interested in eternal things than in carnal and secular pursuits (Galatians 5:16). So, let us consider how to stimulate one
another to love and good deeds. Encourage each other not to forsaking corporate
worship, and to encouraging one another all the more, as we see the Day of the
Lord drawing near (Hebrews 10:24-25).
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You conquered
sin and death for our sake. According to the last two chapters of Your Bible,
You give back to us everything we forfeited to Satan in the first few chapters.
Thank You for Your Spirit who dwells within every Born Again Believer and who
leads, guides, comforts and encourages us all the days of our life. Help us to
walk in Your truth and to keep ourselves unspoiled by the world (James
1:27). You give us joy unspeakable and the
hope of a glorious future without end (1 Peter 1:8; Jeremiah 29:11).Prayer:
Thought for the Day:
“The encouragement of the scriptures gives us hope.” – Romans 15:4
