Encouragement: the action of giving someone support, confidence, or hope. (Oxford Dictionary) I like to define it as “to fill with courage”.
Encouraging people with the promises of God’s word is one of my favorite things to do. I know what it’s like to be discouraged, hoping for someone, anyone, to give you a kind word, a smile, a hug or a prayer.
When we’re tired, we become easily discouraged and discouragement leaves us weak, angry, susceptible, emotional and devastated. None of these are what God has planned for our daily lives. He is the Master of Encouragement.
The Lord told Moses several times to encourage Joshua. Joshua would be his replacement. No one knew better than Moses that the Lord had been faithful to keep all His promises and he needed to impress that on Joshua.
“You must give instructions to Joshua. Encourage him. Make him strong, because Joshua must lead the people across the Jordan River. You can see the land, but Joshua will lead them into that land. He will help them take the land and live in it.’” Deuteronomy 3:28 ERV
Joshua had been at Moses’ right hand for the past 40 years and the mantle of leadership was about to land solely on his shoulders. Those three words “make him strong” are what encouragement does.
The Lord just didn’t leave it up to Moses to encourage Joshua. The Lord spoke to Joshua directly.
“…After Moses died, the Lord spoke to Joshua and said, 2 “My servant Moses is dead. Now you and all these people must go across the Jordan River. You must go into the land I am giving to the Israelites. 3 I promised Moses that I would give you this land, so I will give you all the land wherever you go… 5 Just as I was with Moses, I will be with you. No one will be able to stop you all your life. I will not abandon you. I will never leave you.
6 “Joshua, you must be strong and brave! You must lead these people so that they can take their land. I promised their fathers that I would give them this land. 7 But you must be strong and brave about obeying the commands my servant Moses gave you. If you follow his teachings exactly, you will be successful in everything you do. 8 Always remember what is written in that book of law. Speak about that book and study it day and night. Then you can be sure to obey what is written there. If you do this, you will be wise and successful in everything you do. 9 Remember, I commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid, because the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:1-9 ERV
Take a minute to go back and read that again. Unpack what the Lord is saying – I will give you the land, no one will be able to stop you, I won’t abandon you, I’ll never leave you!
Be strong, be brave, follow My teachings and you’ll be successful in all you do. Be obedient, you’ll be successful – be strong, be brave, don’t be afraid. Now, that’s encouragement!
If your tired and weary today; devastated or discouraged look to the Lord. Draw en-couragement from Him and you’ll become victorious. He will encourage you – Be strong, be brave!