Be Encouraged in the Lord

When we look around us and start to see various troubles and sorrows, we tend to dwell more on the negatives than on the things that bring positive thoughts.

In our society, we can certainly see the absolute deterioration of honesty and integrity, and the lack of the fear of God. But, if we are genuinely in the grace of God, we can find encouragement, by faith in His Holy Word that never changes.

The word "encourage" is only used eleven times in our Bible, but God does want us to encourage each other; not only in His Word, but also in the things of this world that are just and right.

Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the LORD. II Chronicles 31:4.

King Hezekiah told the children of Israel to give the Levites, the priests of the Lord, their portion of food and offerings to encourage them. Why? So the Levites could take care of their priestly duties, without having to be concerned for their own food and upkeep. This allowed them to focus on their primary duty.

What encourages us? We get encouragement from a good job, a good work schedule, good health, a nice place to live, good fellowship, good family life, etc. Many people can encourage us: our spouses, our bosses, our parents, our friends. God uses these things and these people to encourage us; however, most of His encouragement comes from His messenger.

In Deuteronomy 1:38, God told Moses to encourage Joshua:

But Joshua the son of Nun, which standeth before thee, he shall go in thither: encourage him: for he shall cause Israel to inherit it.

And again, in Deuteronomy 3:28:

But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see.

God spoke to Joshua and gave him great encouragement. He does the same for us, speaking to us through His Word.

Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast. There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Joshua 1:1-8.

Also, see Deuteronomy 7:1-15, for encouraging words from the Lord to Moses.

Sometimes we may not get encouragement from others, when we need it. Then, we can encourage ourselves!

And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. I Samuel 30:6

How? In the Lord! We can always encourage ourselves, i.e., have greater faith, by doing the right things We can trust that the power that is above all powers in Heaven and earth will help us in everything we need.

Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. I John 3:21-22

Please note that this is conditional; we must keep His commandments in order for this promise to take effect.

If we are doing our best to serve God and to keep His commandments, he will meet all of our needs, and will encourage our hearts.

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19.

This does not only mean material needs, such as food and clothing; Paul said ALL your needs. This includes the need for companionship, the need for security, and the need for encouragement when things are looking bleak, as well as any other need you may have.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Matthew 6:33-34.

When we put serving God first in our life, He will take care of the rest. What things was He talking about? Any of the things that you need. And when our needs are met, we most certainly will be encouraged!