The greatest Encouragement . . .

 

Out of the many ways that people can encourage one another, what does it best for me is seeing and hearing how God is at work or hearing His promises to do something in the future. Both take my eyes off the present situation to either remember His power and/or look forward to it. For me, human promises, speculations, and words like “it will be okay” do not do it. They are anchored in mere human hope that has no sure foundation. Learning this takes a long time and a few painful experiences.

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 . . . !

 

Be a Barnabas

The key verses for these devotional readings about the church describe it as a household built on a foundation with Christ as the cornerstone. This structure is joined together in Christ and grows into a holy temple. (Ephesians 2:19–21) One way this happens is through encouragement.

A few years ago, I read a book on this topic. Of hundreds of books I’ve read, this is the only one that when I got to the end, I turned to the front and read it again. What struck me is that people are so afraid of rejection that they build layers around themselves to prevent others from seeing what they are really like. True encouragement gets through those layers by accepting people in unconditional love.  

This kind of love is tied to the Gospel. We are sinners and fall short of the glory of God, yet He loves us and wants our eternal good. Therefore, He sent Jesus to die for our sin. Putting that sin on Christ is one thing, but He also put Christ’s righteousness on all who believe. We are greater sinners than we thought, but more loved than we ever imagined possible.

That kind of love allows me to take off the layers. It doesn’t matter if people accept or reject me because God loves me. He loved me while I was still a sinner (Romans 5:8) and loves me so much that He refuses to leave me in that condition. So He gently peels off the layers and surprisingly, that makes possible this unconditional love to flow through His people.

This was shown at every level in the early church. When Saul/Paul was saved and immediately proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God” those who heard him were amazed because he had severely persecuted Christians. Then, as this man increased in strength and confounded the Jews with the Gospel, they plotted to kill him. He escaped, went to Jerusalem and attempted to join the disciples. But they were afraid of him. However, Barnabas took him under wing and defended him. After that, “the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.” (Acts 9:19–31)

Barnabas means “son of encouragement” and he lived up to his name. I wonder what the church would have been like had he not encouraged Paul. Would he become fearful and self-protective? Would he fail to become the mighty servant that God used to change the world?

Paul later wrote to those with fears. He said, “Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:18) He knew the power of looking beyond the surface impressions and encouraging the potential in people. He knew that this takes unconditional love, for sometimes those layers can be thick and even ugly barricades that hide the real person.

My own layers are sinful in that they are a subtle form of hypocrisy. If I am a weak and emotional person who pretends to be strong and stoic, then integrity is gone because the inside and outside do not match. However, God encourages me by accepting my weaknesses, even my quirks and foibles. I don’t need layers and am set free to love others.

Yet I still need encouragement, and so do others. The Bible says we need to “Take care . . .  lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” (Hebrews 3:12–13)

It also tells me to “consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24–25)

Lord, today give me many opportunities and a strong dose of Your grace that I might be a Barnabas to others.