Encouragement

Read Romans 15:1-13

                Out my living room windows – there are twelve of them – I see Will’s mountain, Will’s creek, and lots of foliage on our side of the creek. The trees have blossomed into yellow and white, the leaves every shade green imaginable. It’s a hopeful sign that the weather is finally turning to spring. It’s been a rough few months, between the long-lasting cold and the lockdown because of Covid 19. I need some encouragement!

            When I turn to God’s Word, I find this reassurance: “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8). I am enjoying the green of the grasses and the colors of the flowers, but they are temporary. My rhododendrons lost all their beautiful purple in the winds we’ve been having. But the Bible will withstand all conflict, viruses, attacks, kingdoms that rise and fall. I can hide its words within me and have a ready source of confidence.

            I love Paul’s statement in Romans 15:4, “Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” When we look back in history and realize the path that has brought the Bible to us, the many ways humans have tried to destroy and discredit it, we appreciate that God has caused it to endure, to survive. Many people have fought hard, but without God’s direct Hand, we wouldn’t have His Word.

            In that Word, we read how we can help each other. We read about bearing with each other’s weaknesses, building others up, accepting one another. All for the same purpose – that God Himself might be glorified. Some have missed this point. It’s a nice thing to help other people. But that’s not the goal, the reason we do what we do. There’s a higher aim for believers. When we act rightly toward other people, we’re actually going against the basic nature of mankind.  We are programmed to serve ourselves. So when we defy that, it’s because God is working in us, causing us to be better than we are (see Romans 3:12b: “There is no one who does good, not even one.”) When we put all that together, God receives praise.

            This past Sunday, as well as other times, my Pastor has encouraged me to use my God-given ability to write so that others see my Lord. I know that is my calling, but it’s wonderful to have support. We all need this. When I receive it, I want to do my part in encouraging others. So let’s think together. How can you and I give confirmation and assistance to others this week? How can we wave our colors like the trees, to help others and to glorify our God?

            And let these words from God be a personal benediction for you: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).