1Samuel 23: 15-17. INT’L STANDARD VERSION.
15 David was afraid because Saul had come out to seek his life while David was in the wilderness of Ziph at Horesh. 16Saul’s son Jonathan got up and went to David at Horesh, and he encouraged him to trustm in God. 17Jonathan told him, “Don’t be afraid. My father Saul won’t find you, and you will be king over Israel. I’ll be your second-in-command. My father Saul also knows this”.
The ordinary meaning of encouragement is to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope . Encouraging someone to be entirely himself or herself and of good courage is the loudest way to love them. In the book of Joshua 1:9 And God encouraged Joshua the son of Nun and said “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” .
What kind of Encouragement have you been able to give to someone
What a friend Jonathan was, The scripture recorded that David and Jonathan were like brothers and how time and time again Jonathan proved it. Jonathan helped David escape from his father king Saul, Jonathan takes another risk of his own life . And now again while David is being hunted by king Saul , Jonathan takes another risk and goes and finds David. Why ? To encourage him .
Both David and Jonathan knew that David was God’s anointed and instead of complaining, he lived by faith waiting for God’s plans to come into fruition. Jonathan did not allowed his background as the son of a king to belittle the person of David haven known his background rather his love and support encouraged David to stay strong in his faith in God. Jonathan was in love and encouragement to ensure that God’s purpose is realized in David.
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” ― Winston Churchill.
Isaiah encouraged the Israelites with the word of God to strengthen them when they were faced with difficult times. “Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice. (Isaiah 41:10).
Jesus encouraged His inner circle by giving them confidence; one of the ways He did this was by giving them names that will boast their ego and build confidence in them. The names He bestowed upon some of His followers were definitely meant to reinforce His confidence in them. Like Peter He called him the Rock and Jesus went further to say in him the church shall be built. These are some of the testament to describe not only giving comfort to someone, but it also involves exhortation, urging, strengthening, and even appealing to someone’s consciousness to he the best he can possibly be.
God wants to encourage us to find joy and peace every single day of our lives That’s why Scripture is packed with encouraging verses! God’s Word has been translated and kept alive for hundreds of centuries to speak directly to your heart now! You were meant to find hope through Jesus Christ and the love of God.
“If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.”
Today there is someone or people living in their own emotional caves, running from the struggles of life wishing to be talked to and help out of confusion. They need your encouragement and friendship may God help you to be friendly and encouraging like Almighty God, Jesus Christ, Jonathan and many others you know must have been an encouragement to others.
May God Lift you and Uphold You. SHALOM!! Blessing Onugha❤️