ENCOURAGEMENT Larry W Peebles October 16, 2020 20.39
When Jesus’ ministry on this earth was drawing to a close, He was well aware that His crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection and ascension were imminent on the horizon. He gathered His disciples together and told them “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Comforter will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you…..When He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you of things to come.” (John 16: 7, 13) When Jesus, the Son of God, came from heaven to earth in human form, He was on a mission. When the mission was accomplished, He intended to return to heaven, but He did not intend to desert us.
The Greek word for the Comforter Jesus referenced in the passage above is parakletos (noun), which means “counselor, intercessor, helper, one who encourages and comforts; in the NT it refers exclusively to the Holy Spirit (comforter 4x), and to Jesus (advocate 1x). Strong’s #3875. The adapted English version of this same word is paraclete. The Greek word “comfort” used 105 times in the NT is parakaleo (verb), which means to ask, beg, to plead, to comfort, encourage, exhort, urge, invite, and to entreat. Strong’s #3870.
Consider one final definition to complete our background for this article. The King James Bible dictionary defines “encourage” as follows- “To give courage to; to give or increase confidence of success; to inspire with courage, spirit or strength of mind; to embolden; to spur on; to implore.”
Blending the words of Jesus with these definitions, we learn that the Comforter/Encourager is the person of the Holy Spirit. We are seeking encouragement that comes from Him. We also see that the truth is included as an essential. Jesus (who is “the Truth” in John 14:6) said the Comforter is the Spirit of Truth. This clearly means that Biblical encouragement goes beyond flattery, compliments and the opinions of man. It is not a pep-rally, which might bring short-term enthusiasm, but fades and is not that helpful long-term. It contains the highest standard of truth. The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, will also guide us into all truth. He will navigate us away from lies and deception. This is very needed in these times. Most people can deal with a crisis better so long as they are told the truth.
When encouragement comes from the Holy Spirit, it contains an element of prophecy, which is “things to come”. It may not be what one wants to hear, but it is what one needs to hear. Finally, when encouragement comes from the Holy Spirit, it is truth from a loving Father, because the Holy Spirit does not speak on His own, but speaks what He hears (from the Father). Biblical encouragement comes from the greatest power and authority in the universe. He cannot lie, and He alone knows the future- the beginning from the end. When we are in the middle of a problem, we often cannot see the end. We need encouragement from the One who can.
I became interested in track as a high school freshman. By the end of my sophomore year, I had dropped all other sports to concentrate on track. My speed increased every year. I wanted to attend college on a track scholarship. At the start of my senior track season, one of my coaches predicted a best time in the 400 meters for me that I had not yet achieved. My own personal goal was a time still better than his prediction. I’m sure that he intended to encourage and inspire with his prediction, but it left me a little underwhelmed to the point that my determination grew. My actual best time for that senior season beat His prediction and my own goal. It was fast enough to get me a college scholarship. Looking back on that experience, I learned that true Spirit-inspired Biblical encouragement is preferable.
I read somewhere that in the Bible God tells us 365 times, once for every day of the year, that we should not be afraid. We should stand encouraged (with courage). If we are not encouraged, then we become discouraged (without courage).
Here are twelve scriptures from God’s eternal Word that will encourage us all. These things He has already spoken for our comfort and encouragement:
- Psalm 46:1- “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
- Psalm 107:1- “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”
- Isaiah 40:31- “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”
- Isaiah 41:10- “Fear not, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
- Lamentations 3:22-23- “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is His faithfulness.”
- Deuteronomy 31:6- “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, he is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
- Matthew 17:20- “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”
- Romans 8:31- “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
- 1 Corinthians 16:13-14- “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.”
- Philippians 4:13- “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:11- “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you are also doing.”
- Hebrews 10:23- “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”
Scripture also says David “encouraged himself in the Lord” (1 Samuel 30:6). He strengthened or comforted himself in the Lord. He had suffered a disappointing set-back. While off to battle, the enemy had snuck into his camp and stolen the fighting men’s wives, children and possessions. The men were angry, and displeased with David. In addition to being plundered, he faced a leadership crisis. He had to first find encouragement, because there was none to be had. Once encouraged, he inquired of the Lord, and the Lord told him to pursue the raiders. He overtook them, killed them, and recovered his possessions. Everything was rightfully restored. The restoration process began with spiritual encouragement.
We know Biblical encouragement begins with the Holy Spirit, but this story suggests we have a role to play in the encouragement process. We must be willing to seek and cooperate with spiritual encouragement, receive it, and act on it. We must be willing to hear the Spirit of Truth, and not reject the truth because it is not what we might want to hear. The Holy Spirit in the role of Paraclete is the one who “comes alongside, with heart”. He knows our burdens, and He knows how we are wired. He tenderly provides the help we need, when and where we need it. The Holy Spirit is our first and ultimate encouragement. God has already spoken encouragement in His Word, and He will do it again in our individual circumstance. Crying out for help in cooperation with the Holy Spirit is the first step to receiving encouragement. God did it for David, and that example stands today as our assurance He will do it for us. With God on our side, there is always hope.
Jesus received the fullness of the Holy Spirit when He was baptized by John in the river (Matthew Chapter 3 and John Chapter 1). It is normal to assume that is when He received the incredible power to perform the many miracles of His ministry, which is true. However, that is the same Holy Spirit that came alongside Him during His 40 days of fasting and testing by Satan in the wilderness (Matthew Chapter 4). It was the Holy Spirit that groaned within Him for His dead friend Lazarus (John Chapter 11). The Holy Spirit comforted Jesus when He agonized in prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane prior to His own crucifixion (Matthew Chapter 26). The Holy Spirit helped Him endure the cross, and raised Him from the dead (Romans Chapter 8). If Jesus relied upon the Holy Spirit for His strength and comfort during His life on this earth, why would we want anything more or anyone different? If the Holy Spirit worked to encourage David and Jesus, I pray we will find our encouragement in Him as well.
