The Urgent Call for Encouragement

Have you ever thought much about the impact of encouragement? Maybe that thought is not so hard for you to grasp. Most of us can probably recount a recent episode in which we received some needed encouragement by a special person's thoughtfulness or even through God's Word. Whatever the details may be, we still can feel the impact that encouragement brought to our hearts. Encouragement is powerful.

But have you ever thought about the urgency of encouragement; yes, it's desperate, serious, urgent nature? I never knew this attribute of encouragement existed until studying in Hebrews a few days ago.

Most of us have read and reread the verse "encourage one another day after day..." (Heb. 4:13) on greeting cards, journals, and coffee cups. It is a sweet, stirring little verse. But upon closer inspection to context, I found a very desperate tone in the author of Hebrew's voice surrounding this verse. See if you can hear it too:

"Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." Hebrews 3:12-13

This is an urgent call for believers to strengthen and protect one another from serious sin with the simple but powerful tool of encouragement. We never know when a brother or sister in Christ is slipping away from intimacy with Jesus. That is why God tells us "day after day" to be encouraging; to "take care" or "see to it" or "take heed" that none falls away, but rather that all our hearts stay soft to the Spirit and not to become hardened by sin's lies.

How often have I heard of a friend's life that is crumbling to pieces as they slowly wander away from God? And I sadly say to myself, "I just never knew...", or "I should've reached out more..." I failed to see the urgency in faithful encouragement to the people God has placed in my path. The ministry of encouragement is urgent and very serious business in God's eyes.

Think with me about the actual word "encouragement". What important word is tucked away in it? Encouragement... courage. Wow. Isn't that what so many Christians are needing today; the courage to go on; the courage to trust Jesus for everything; the courage to look ahead to the great hope of heaven, knowing that this is not our home?

This is an urgent call. We all desperately need encouragement!

Now I would like to speak for a moment to all of you bloggers who are discouraged in thinking you are having a limited impact, that no one cares or sees, or to those of you who are in need of some healthy encouragement yourself... may I speak some courage into your heart right now? You are making an impact. A HUGE impact! You are obeying this urgent cry to speak life into others giving them true hope and courage to keep going, to stay close to Jesus, to remain tender and sensitive to His Spirit and His Word. You are changing the world... and your impact is great. You will never know who may come across your heartfelt encouragements and leave deeply touched. Only God knows the eternal impact you are having. Keep it up. Keep the encouragement coming.

Let's all hear the urgency in Hebrews 3:12-13. Many people are lying on the sidelines wounded and hopeless. They need courage to get up and press on. And we don't know exactly who they are. It could be your next door neighbor, or the lady sitting behind you in church, or the bully at school, or your own mother, or your little brother... we can't see into their hearts. But God can. Let Him give you words to say; a smile to share; and hug to give. It's important... and very urgent.

"Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."                 Romans 15:5-6

Take it to Heart

Typically when we say the phrase, “take it to heart,” we use it in the negative sense, persuading someone (or ourselves) not take something to heart. Usually said in reference to hurtful words spoken in moments of anger or frustration, we feel the deep impact sharp words can have in our hearts; feelings we would be glad to live without.

But while I was reading in Deuteronomy this morning, the Lord revealed this beautiful verse that brought a different meaning and light to this phrase: “When Moses had finished speaking all these words to all Israel, he said to them, “Take to your heart all the words with which I am warning you today...” (Deut. 32:45-46)

We see here that “take it to heart” is used in a positive and reinforcing way; taking God’s Word (which Moses has just finished declaring to Israel) directly to our hearts for the conviction, warning, encouragement, or hope that God knows we need in our lives. His Word is to be treasured (Ps. 119:9) in our hearts, guiding our steps and preventing sin.

The deeper application the Lord brought to me personally was that I too often take God’s Word only to my mind and not my heart. While indeed the mind needs daily to be renewed and protected by the Word, true change and sanctification only comes through applying His Word to our hearts. Head knowledge profits nothing unless it is applied to my heart, resulting in a change the Lord desires.

I often need to be reminded to “take to heart” all the Words God graciously speaks to me.

Referring back again to the negative sense of this phrase will provide a somewhat unusual example of how we could apply this. When someone speaks painful words that you (despite your best efforts) take to heart, what exactly do you do with those words? Do you think about them often throughout your day? Do you replay them over and over in your mind? If they were written assaults, do you read and re-read them over and over until the pages are worn out?

These responses could also be used to “take to heart” God’s Word (with of course much pleasanter results and fruit). There are many Scriptural instructions about Word intake and meditation, and all of them should be carefully learned, cultivated, and practiced for the good of the Christian, the growth of the kingdom, and the joy of time spent alone with God in the inner sanctuary.

In the next few days, I would like to discuss a few of the many “Word intake” disciplines taught throughout the Bible and ones that have helped my time in the inner sanctuary. Learning these principles can help us take God’s Word to our hearts and I am excited to share them with you.