Tuesday,
November 5, 2019
ENCOURAGEMENT!
Heb 12:12-13
12 Wherefore
lift
up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
13 And
make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the
way; but let it rather be healed.
The word “encouraged” or “encourage” is found in the Old
Testament about nine times and each time it is translated from the word chazaq
which means, among other things, “to strengthen, cure, help, repair, and to
fortify.” It also means “to seize” like a parent grabbing a child who is
falling.
Oddly, the word encourage or encouragement does not occur in
the New Testament at all. However, the sense of encouragement or
discouragement is everywhere. In our text in Hebrews, the apostle refers to Isa 35:3-4 “Strengthen ye the
weak hands and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful
heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God
with a recompence; he will come and save you.” The words are an address to
persons almost worn out with sickness and fatigue, whose hands hang
down, whose knees shake, and who are totally discouraged.
I am a people-person. People encourage me! I am often
amazed and lifted up by their love, concern and genuine help especially those
who are connected by a mutual faith in God. The Psalmist comments on the
encouragement of Christian fellowship in the following.
Ps 133
133 Behold,
how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
2 It
is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even
Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
3 As
the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion:
for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.
Dear Lord,
let me be an encouragement to those who are worn out. AMEN
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