Over and over, scripture instructs us to encourage; it fact it does so, over 24 times.
Yes, admonish each other, correct each other, but: encourage each other. “…Go out and encourage your men…” -- 2 Samuel 19:7. “Hear the afflicted [and] encourage them [listening] to their cry…”– Psalm 10:17. “…Encourage each other daily…” -- Hebrews 3:13. “…Encourage with great patience and careful instruction…” -- 2 Timothy 4:2. “…Encourage each other and [thus] build each other up” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11. Yes “…warn [admonish, each other, but] encourage [each other]…” – Paul goes on to note. “Be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong -- but always…be kind to each other…pray continuously -- give thanks in all circumstances…Do not put out the Spirit’s fire…” -- 1 Thessalonians 5:14-19. Translated: use the Spirit’s fire -- use the living Christ – to lift each other up.
In a world that attacks, criticizes and wears folks down -- lift each other up!
For me the greatest Moses story is not the Ten Commandments Story; the greatest Moses story is the Amalekites Story in Exodus 17. Why the Amalekites threatened Moses and the Israelites something awful; and the Israelites were beaten down. But Moses was determined to encourage the Israelites, and have them win. And so Moses sent Joshua off to take-on the Amalekites. But with an understanding: Moses would stand on a hill and encourage Joshua! And so Moses stood on a hill and encouraged Joshua – lifting his hands high in the air! And as long as Moses’ hands were lifted up – Joshua was winning.
Well in due course, the inevitable occurred: Moses’ arms grew weary and his hands collapsed, drooping to the ground. And with that, the Amalekites began to win! Well, all seemed lost. But then it happened: encouragers came to the rescue of the encourager – now the droopy one. To be specific: Aaron the brother of Moses and Hur a friend of Moses came to Moses’ aid. But in a most ingenious way! Why Aaron got on one side of Moses, and Hur got on the other side of Moses – and grasped Moses weary, droopy arms – and together – they lifted Moses’ hands back into the air! Incredible! -- they lifted Moses’ hands back into the air! And with that, Joshua advanced – and Joshua won!!!
We advance -- we win -- when we stand with each other -- and lift droopy hands! For there are lots of Amalekites out there, discouraging us – criticizing us – exhausting us. But we can defeat the Amalekites, we can defeat the brutal forces of life – if we walk together in life – lifting each other up!
Lift each other up! Encourage every droopy person within your reach – determined to keep hands lifted high. For Jesus is the victor, enabling each of us through His Spirit -- no matter the adversary – no matter the Amalekite -- to gloriously – triumphantly -- win!
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