Who Can You In-Courage?

Then Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David in the woods and strengthened his hand in God.
1 Samuel 23:16

To encourage means to in-courage, that is, to instill fresh courage into someone who is faltering. God calls us to be spiritual encouragers to those who are spiritually fading. We’re to build up those facing great challenges. Throughout Scripture, we see this in action.

Moses told the Israelites, “Joshua the son of Nun, who stands before you, he shall go in there. Encourage him” (Deuteronomy 1:38). King Hezekiah “gave encouragement to all the Levites who taught the good knowledge of the Lord” (2 Chronicles 30:22). Barnabas so uplifted those around him, he was named “Son of Encouragement” by the early church (Acts 4:36).

Life is hard, and living for Christ has its own challenges. Our Christian labor is often wearying. One of Satan’s greatest weapons is discouragement, and we need to learn to draw from the encouragement of the Scriptures. But we also need to encourage one another. Your pastor, your church leaders, your teachers, your husband or wife, your children need someone to strengthen their hand, to instill them with fresh courage.

Who can you encourage today?

A word of encouragement from a teacher to a child can change a life. A word of encouragement from a spouse can save a marriage.
John Maxwell