Encouragement

Psalm 62:5-8

Yes, my soul, finds rest in God; my hope comes from Him. Truly He is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress. I shall not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.

One of the greatest dangers for any of us is to be isolated from Christian friends, separated from those who bring encouragement and hope, especially in times of trouble. Our safety and joy is found in fellowship with God and one another. Psalm 46:1-3 tells us that, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging."

When we come alongside a brother or sister in Christ who is struggling, we may be what stands between them and the devil; we may be sent by God to intervene in a battle or maybe just to comfort someone through a bad day. When all seems hopeless, God's messenger can deeply encourage us and turn our sorrow to joy just by being there, "for those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength." Isaiah 40:31.

We all need to be lifted up and encouraged at times, when our lamps are filled, we have something to give and when are lamps are dim, we need encouragement. "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

Jesus said in John 13:35: “by this, all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” And later in this same conversation, Jesus defined this “love for one another” in terms of love of friends. He said, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you," John15:12.

How has Jesus shown His love for us? “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends," John15:13. This is how we are to show the world that we are Jesus’ disciples: when we love one another as he loved us, namely, with sacrificial love.

Closing Thoughts

When we demonstrate the love of Christ to our brothers and sisters, we show the world, that they are invited to share in something special and they will see that, "The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him." Nahum 1:7

Hebrews 10:24-25

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.