We are to encourage one another day after day as a bulwark against the deceitfulness of sin taking us places we don’t want to go, and making us captive, through hardening of the heart to God and His purpose in us. Christianity was never meant to be walked out alone.
[Hebrews 3:13 NASB95] 13 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.
Note sin is deceitful. To be deceitful is to be purposely misleading! Making something look good and desirable that isn’t. It is always based in the lie. It has been since the garden and the serpent with Eve. It is often couched in a lot of truth and beauty, but the end is misleading; the lie that entices but holds destruction, disobedience, selfish gain, and death.
The only defense against such deceit is being focused on the truth, or more properly He that is the truth, the way, and holds life abundant. Jesus! The Word that was made manifest in flesh (John 1:-3,14). It is He that prayed the Father “Sanctify them in the truth. Your word is truth!” (John 17:21)
In our time, with the communications technology we are blessed with, there is absolutely no reason for us not to take the instruction of Hebrews 3:13 to heart, and encourage someone, somehow, day after day. Phones, email, cars, all make staying in touch truly a daily possibility…. across the neighborhood, the city, the nation, yes… even the world.
With that said, let me turn your attention to Psalm 103. Practically any verse in it can be used to encourage someone in any kind of circumstances. It is said to be a Psalm of David used to bless the Lord for His mercies and all He has done for the shepherd, warrior, king, man after God’s heart, and His people. But, it certainly illuminates the goodness of God to us in most situations.
[Psalm 103:1-22 NASB95] 1 [A Psalm] of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, [bless] His holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; 3 Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases; 4 Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; 5 Who satisfies your years with good things, [So that] your youth is renewed like the eagle. 6 The LORD performs righteous deeds And judgments for all who are oppressed. 7 He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of Israel. 8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. 9 He will not always strive [with us,] Nor will He keep [His anger] forever. 10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. 13 Just as a father has compassion on [his] children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. 14 For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are [but] dust. 15 As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. 16 When the wind has passed over it, it is no more, And its place acknowledges it no longer. 17 But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children, 18 To those who keep His covenant And remember His precepts to do them. 19 The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, And His sovereignty rules over all. 20 Bless the LORD, you His angels, Mighty in strength, who perform His word, Obeying the voice of His word! 21 Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, You who serve Him, doing His will. 22 Bless the LORD, all you works of His, In all places of His dominion; Bless the LORD, O my soul!
Consider these sharing these encouragements from this Psalm:
1) The LORD pardons all your iniquities (sin, imperfections, mistakes)
2) The LORD heals all your diseases (sickness of all kinds)
3) The LORD redeems you from the pit (traps, no way out circumstances, despair/depression)
4) The LORD crowns you with lovingkindness (mercy) and compassion (love, care, concern)
5) The LORD satisfies you as you grow and age with good things and renews your strength, even in age, to soar with wings of Eagles.
6) The LORD will prove himself with righteous deeds/works and just judgement when you find yourself oppressed
7) The LORD will show Himself and His mighty acts to you when bound (slavery in Egypt) or in wilderness even as He did to Moses and Israel
8) When you screw up, have failed, denied… The LORD is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness/mercy.
9) The LORD will not strive (wrestle/test/frustrate you as an opponent) with you forever, nor deal with you in anger forever
10) The LORD is not dealing with you on the basis of, or according to, your sins, nor rewarding you in the now according to your iniquity. For as high as the heavens are from the earth, just so great is The LORD’s lovingkindness/mercy toward you that fear Him.And as far as the East is from the West, just so has The LORD removed our iniquity/transgression from us in His mercy.
11) The LORD acts as a compassionate Father toward children to those that fear Him
12) The LORD knows our frame, what we are made of and from . He knows us well and intimately as His creation, and stays mindful/aware that we are dust and human, prone to failure and weakness He know us better than we know ourselves, and sees in us more than we see in ourselves.
13) The LORD knows our frailties and the brevity of our days; that we are like grass and flowers that flourish and fades when it can’t stand the warm and strong winds and are dried up and blown away and forgotten. But nevertheless, The LORD has invested EVERLASTING TO EVERLASTING (Eternal) LOVINGKINDNESS/mercy upon us, incredible value in us, that fear Him, even to the point of establishing His righteousness in us and to our children as our and His legacy as we stay in covenant with Him; For He is faithful. And, His faithfulness/commitment in covenant and mercy draws us to obedience in submission gained by love.
14) The LORD, our God, is sovereign, His throne is established in heaven and He rules over all in heaven and earth. So we have no need or place for fear, anxiety, or lack or peace. Our God reigns and we can place our lives and confidence in the hands of He that is doing what is right regardless of our circumstances.
15) Bless His Name for He is worthy.
Be encouraged in His love and mercy and faithfulness in covenant in Christ Jesus, and encourage others!