ENCOURAGE has many meanings. It can be persuasion that earnestly supports a response or action; or consolation and comfort in times of disappointment; or anything that gives relief in affliction. When tied to God as the source, I am greatly encouraged when He gives me direction whenever I feel confused or distressed, as well as simply offering spiritual truth when I need it. He might use people or other books for this, but most of His encouragement comes from the Bible and from answered prayer.
Encouragement from the Word of God is expressed in many verses. Here are a few that declare this truth:
(Psalm 119:49–50) Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.
(Romans 15:4) For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
(1 Corinthians 14:31) For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged.
(1 Thessalonians 4:18) Therefore encourage one another with these words.
What are those words if not His promises! When God says something will happen, it always has and always will. For me, this is an anchor, a great encouragement . . .
(Hebrews 6:17–20) So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath (solemn promise), so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf . . .
Encouragement from answered prayer also has many examples in Scripture. Here are some of the prayers:
(Romans 15:5–6) May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(Philippians 2:1–2) So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
I was not in Rome or Philippi to see the answers to these prayers but I do see them in the Body of Christ where we worship. The harmony is outstanding. One example is our business meetings, even those discussing finances; they are short and without any conflict at all. The unified focus is on the needs of others, not personal ‘I wants’ or issues that divide. Our pastors often praise God for this unity with the words, “Only God, only God!”
GAZE INTO HIS GLORY. God is the ultimate encourager. He has at least two reasons in mind for the comfort He gives. One is so I will pass it on to others using the same comfort He gives me: telling them what the Bible says . . .
(2 Corinthians 1:3–4) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
The other reason is that I will be established (determined and strengthened) to do good and speak messages of hope and comfort rather than doom and gloom, that is, I will share how God answers my prayers.
(2 Thessalonians 2:16–17) Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.
(Psalm 107:2) Let the redeemed of the Lord say so . . . !
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