A Word to Encourage

Our lives are filled with many words.  Each day 30 billion Whatsapp messages and 20 billion texts fly across cyber space.  In addition, the airwaves are filled with radio and TV messages, words and images filling our thoughts.  Among all those words, how many are healing or encouraging those who are burdened and full of care?   In all this, where can you find a word of encouragement to support the weary?

Jesus said, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.”  He is the one who can provide us with a word to sustain the weary.

 The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught. Isa 50:4

Listening to the voice of the Spirit within is the most encouraging and uplifting experience we can find here on earth.   His word within us is true and therefore real and trustworthy.  Even his word of correction is filled with love.  When he speaks it is for our good to lift us from our heavy load and unchain us from life’s burdens.  We can do nothing better for our souls than to have moments of solitude in the presence of God and allow him to speak into our lives.

To prepare you heart for such a word requires a discipline of silence and a practice of turning off the noise.  Human nature will resist this quietness, for it prefers the false comforts of a noisy world.  Alone with God, our true hearts are revealed and it can be painful to see.  The heart of man is deceitful, says Jeremiah. We often deceive ourselves and are easily deceived by others through the flattery of self love.  However, it is the truth that sets us free.  God desires hearts that are true.  This attracts him because he is true.

 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. Psa 51:6

The voice of God within is a still small voice that is easily drowned out.  Going about our day chewing on a morning word from God, is a way to cherish what we have heard and keeps our hearts encouraged in the Lord.  This practice of listening to God’s voice will also be a blessing to some weary soul as we learn how to sustain the weary with our words.

  A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Prov. 25:11