Day Seventeen - Encourage someone

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.

                  The Lord told Moses that he would not be able to bring the people into the promised land because he failed to sanctify the Lord at Meribah.  Moses pleaded with the Lord,  but the Lord told him,  “speak no more of this matter.”   Moses asked  the Lord to give Israel a shepherd to lead them and the Lord told Moses that He had chosen Joshua.  He said,   “Go and encourage him and strengthen him,  for he will go before this people.” 

                  The Lord saw more potential in Joshua than Moses saw,  but he also saw more potential in him that Joshua himself could see.  Joshua could not picture himself  leading this army of people, nor could he see himself worthy to fight the Lord’s battles.   God saw the future as clearly as the past and knew the work that Joshua could do and would do for Him. 

                  We live in a very difficult time.  There is so much to tear down a man in our world,  that it is impossible to picture any person being used as Joshua or Moses was used.  We have so many temptations.  We have so many who are attacking what we believe. 

                 When we leave the church building,  we are targets for the fiery darts of the devil.  He wants to discourage us so that we have nothing to offer this world.  When we come together,  the saints are able to give the courage that is needed. 

               There was a time when David was greatly discouraged and fled for his life,  but he had a friend.  We read,

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

               What a blessing to have a friend like Jonathan!  Jonathan was willing to die for Israel,  for God and for his friend.  God used this man to put courage back into David’s heart.  The courage didn’t come by telling David how great he was.  It came by reminding David that his strength was in God. 

An Exercise to increase my Faith  -  This may seem like a simple exercise,  and it may not strengthen your faith as much as it will strengthen the faith of another.  Take a few moments to encourage a brother or sister in church.  Write them a note or call them to tell them that you are thinking of them and praying for them.  Share that God has placed them on your heart and that you know that God will use them this week.