Scripture:
Deuteronomy 3:28 King James Version (KJV)
"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."
Some Bible commentary notes regarding "charge"....."Give him authority in the sight of the people, let them see that he has the same commission which I gave to thee". ...."Charge him to take the care of the children of Israel, to introduce them into the good land, and put them into the possession of it."
It has been said that DISCOURAGEMENT is the enemy's greatest weapon against God's children. This may be a correct statement however,
ENCOURAGEMENT
is God's answer/solution
for the counter attack.
(Encourage ....the action of giving someone support, confidence, or hope.)
Today, God would encourage us all to NOT be discouraged.
When Moses came to the end of his life's responsibilities and Joshua was to carry on, the Lord said to Moses, "Charge Joshua and encourage him and strengthen him."
All of us, old, young, rich, poor, strong or weak need to be encouraged from time to time. All of us can be and should be God's instruments to encouraging troubled hearts. I will reference a few scriptures at the end of this message. Deuteronomy 31:8, Joshua 1:9, Acts 15:32, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Romans 15:2 and 15:5, Hebrews 10:24.
I feel a charge from God to encourage you in several areas....
I encourage each of you to have sympathetic understanding, one to the other. How very little we know of the battles, perplexities, burdens, struggles and frustrations of our fellow mankind. One can become weighted down feeling that nobody knows and nobody cares. Sympathize instead of criticize! Lend a helping hand and "bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2
I encourage you to join together in prayer. Private prayer never suffices for times of coming together to pray.
I encourage you to be faithful to the House of God. I encourage to to be faithful in the work of His Kingdom.....for the Lord's sake, for the sake of others and for your own sake. Let us consider one another, to provoke unto love and good works, "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Hebrews 10:25
I encourage you to Love One Another. "This is His commandment, that we should believe on the name of His Son, Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment." 1 John 3:23
Amplified Bible...
Deuteronomy 31:8 - "It is the Lord who goes before you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or abandon you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
Joshua 1:9 - "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified or dismayed (intimidated), for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Acts 15:32 - "Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets (divinely inspired spokesmen), encouraged and strengthened the believers with many words."
1 Thessalonians 5:11 - "Therefore encourage and comfort one another and build up one another, just as you are doing."
Romans 15:2 - "Let each one of us [make it a practice to] please his [a]neighbor for his good, to build him up spiritually."
Romans 15:5 - "Now may the God who gives endurance and who supplies encouragement grant that you be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus."
Hebrews 10:24 - "and let us consider [thoughtfully] how we may encourage one another to love and to do good deeds."
