“Encourage him.”
— Deuteronomy 1:38
God employs his people to encourage one another. He did not say to an
angel, “Gabriel, my servant Joshua is about to lead my people into
Canaan-go, encourage him.” God never works needless miracles; if his
purposes can be accomplished by ordinary means, he will not use
miraculous agency. Gabriel would not have been half so well fitted for
the work as Moses. A brother’s sympathy is more precious than an
angel’s embassy. The angel, swift of wing, had better known the
Master’s bidding than the people’s temper. An angel had never
experienced the hardness of the road, nor seen the fiery serpents, nor
had he led the stiff-necked multitude in the wilderness as Moses had
done. We should be glad that God usually works for man by man. It forms
a bond of brotherhood, and being mutually dependent on one another, we
are fused more completely into one family. Brethren, take the text as
God’s message to you. Labour to help others, and especially strive to
encourage them. Talk cheerily to the young and anxious enquirer,
lovingly try to remove stumblingblocks out of his way. When you find a
spark of grace in the heart, kneel down and blow it into a flame. Leave
the young believer to discover the roughness of the road by degrees,
but tell him of the strength which dwells in God, of the sureness of
the promise, and of the charms of communion with Christ. Aim to comfort
the sorrowful, and to animate the desponding. Speak a word in season to
him that is weary, and encourage those who are fearful to go on their
way with gladness. God encourages you by his promises; Christ
encourages you as he points to the heaven he has won for you, and the
spirit encourages you as he works in you to will and to do of his own
will and pleasure. Imitate divine wisdom, and encourage others,
according to the word of this evening.
On this day...
- Isaiah 53 - 2023
- Ezekiel 10 - 2023
- November 21, 2016 - 2016
- COURAGE - 2010
- ELECT - 2010
- ELECTION - 2010
- ENDURE (ENDURED) - 2010
- FAITHFULNESS - 2010
- WEALTH - 2010
- Faith Is... - 2009
November 23, 2010
God never works needless miracles; if his purposes can be accomplished by ordinary means, he will not use miraculous agency.
A brother’s sympathy is more precious than an angel’s embassy.
We should be glad that God usually works for man by man. It forms
a bond of brotherhood, and being mutually dependent on one another, we
are fused more completely into one family.
When you find a spark of grace in the heart, kneel down and blow it into a flame.
Aim to comfort the sorrowful, and to animate the desponding.