ENCOURAGEMENT

This page is for the encouragement of everyone, because everybody hurts at one time or another.

Introduction to the Page
The bible says that each of us is responsible for the encouragement and upbuilding of one another (Acts 13:15, Romans 1:11-12, Romans 12:15, Galatians 6:2, Philippians 2:1-4, 1 Thessalonians 5:11). We are not to be discouraging (2 Corinthians 2:5-8). Therefore we sincerely hope the contents of this page will encourage and comfort all of you who are depressed, sick, mourning, or hurting. It helps to keep in mind that God is the source of all comfort and endurance (Romans 15:5-6, 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, 2 Corinthians 7:6). God also helps the oppressed (Psalms 146:9, Hosea 14:3) and recognizes when we need Him and He will be our stronghold during our distresses (Nahum 1:7) and be a refuge for us (2 Samuel 22:31, Psalms 18:30, Psalms 34:8, Psalms 37:39-40). We are admonished to pour our hearts out to Him (Psalms 62:8) and throw our burdens on Him (Psalms 55:22, 1 Peter 5:6-7). Yahweh is near to all who call on Him (Psalms 145:18) and He will not leave those who look for Him (Psalms 9:9-10). Yahweh also sent Jesus Christ to be our comforting shepherd (John 10:14-15, 2 Thessalonians 2:16). Jesus himself seeks to comfort those who are mistreated, and an example of this is when he healed a certain blind beggar. The healing caused the beggar to put faith in Jesus, and as a result the unfaithful Jews threw the beggar out of the synagogue for it. Jesus heard about it, and went to find the man. Once he found him, he spoke to him to strengthen his faith (John 9:24-39). On this page we tried to cover the kinds of things that can weaken our faith and hurt us. It is our hope that it helps heal your wounded soul and help you strengthen your relationship with our Creator.

Daily Necessities
God is a loving Creator. Being that He created us, He is aware of what our needs are, all we need to do is ask in faith and He will provide our needs for the day (Matthew 6:25-33, Matthew 7:7-11, Philippians 4:6-7). We are also reminded in scripture that if we imperfect humans know how to give good things to our children, how much more so will the Perfect God give good gifts to we who ask (Luke 11:10-13). He provides people with food (Exodus 16:4-15, 2 Kings 4:38-44, Matthew 14:14-20, Matthew 15:32-38, Luke 5:1-9), water (Genesis 21:15-19, Exodus 15:22-25, Exodus 17:1-7), clothes (Deuteronomy 8:4, Deuteronomy 10:18), and shelter (1 Kings 18:3-4, Luke 10:4-7, Acts 11:12, Acts 16:15). There are many encouraging examples in the bible of instances where Yahweh looked after those serving Him . For example, the Israelites were given manna to eat every day for forty years. Though it was the same thing every day, it was still life sustaining food and none of them suffered starvation. Obadiah hid faithful ones in caves. Though it wasn't the most comfortable accomodations, Obadiah was still used by Yahweh to keep those faithful ones safe, sheltered and fed. Though we may suffer job loss, housefire, robbery, identity theft, etc. Yahweh will hear our pleas and provide us with the things we need.

Fear
We are reminded that God values us (Luke 12:4-7). Those trusting in Yahweh will be protected (Proverbs 29:25). He is our shield (Psalms 115:11). We can confidently trust in the refuge that Yahweh provides us (Psalms 40:4, Psalms 118:8-9, Isaiah 26:4). God expects us to put our anxieties upon Him (1 Peter 5:6-7). The name of God is a strong tower and gives protection (Proverbs 18:10). The bible assures us that God will help us speak when up against His enemies (Matthew 10:16-20, Luke 12:11-12). God keeps track of all his creation, even the sparrows...and we are worth far more than sparrows (Matthew 10:28-31).

Forgiveness of Sins
It is a wonderful blessing to know that even though we may fall into grave sin God is always ready to forgive us (Psalms 86:5, Psalms 103:13, Psalms 130:4, James 5:15, 1 John 1:9) and Christ is also willing to forgive us (Matthew 9:2, Luke 7:48). It is comforting to know that all sins are forgivable (except blasphemy against the holy spirit) (Matthew 12:31-32, Mark 3:28-30), So no matter what we've done in our pasts, no matter how horrible or hurtful, if we are truly repentant God will forgive us those things (Isaiah 55:7, Jeremiah 36:3). And what's more, when God forgives, He forgets - He no longer brings it up against you for the rest of your life (Jeremiah 31:34)!

Mourning
The bible promises us that we who mourn will be comforted (Matthew 5:4). He heals up the brokenhearted (Psalms 147:3). God also promises that there will come a day when he rids the world of all wickedness and mourning and pain (Revelation 21:1-5). God is our strength (Isaiah 12:2). We will see our loved ones again when God commences a resurrection of his faithful ones (John 5:29, John 11:24, Revelation 20:5,12-21:4).

Sickness
In the bible God promises us that He will put an end to all sickness and disease (Revelation 21:4) for Yahweh has the power of healing (Luke 5:17). Jesus and his disciples were given the ability to perform healings as a showing of that power (Matthew 4:23, Matthew 10:1, Acts 19:11-12) Sickness and death is brought on by sin (Romans 6:23), however Yahweh gave Jesus the authority to forgive sins (Matthew 9:6). The forgiveness of sin will give us the opportunity to be resurrected into a healthy life (Revelation 20:12-13).

Examples
There are many wonderful examples which show how Yahweh has helped His worshipers when they were in times of distress. Yahweh made us (Genesis 1:26-27, Psalms 100:3, Mark 10:6), so He knows exactly what things we need (Matthew 6:31-32). If we put our faith in Him he will provide for us (Matthew 6:33, John 14:13-14, James 1:5-7), even if we don't immediately see how He plans to provide. Here are some examples of Yahweh providing needs in ways people didn't expect:

One example is when He helped the Israelites escape the Egyptians. The Egyptian ruler (Pharaoh) would not allow Israel to go worship God, so God plagued the Egyptians until finally they made the Israelites leave. But soon after the Israelites departed the Egyptians changed their minds and pursued the Israelites to recapture them. When the Egyptian army caught up with them the Israelites felt trapped because on one side of them was the Egyptian army coming, on the other side was a large sea. They began to panic, but Yahweh came to their rescue. First He sent His angel to cause a large pillar of fire to block the Egyptian army's path, and then he caused the sea to open up so Israel could cross on dry land! After the people were safely across, Yahweh then killed the Egyptian army. Such an awesome display of his protection! (Exodus 12:29-37 and 14:5-26).

Another example of God saving those who fear him is in the example of Rahab. Rahab was a prostitute woman who lived in the city of Jericho. Yahweh was about to help the nation of Israel capture the city of Jericho as part of the land area He'd promised them many years before. Joshua, the man leading the Israelites, first sent two spies into Jericho to get an idea of what the city was all about. These spies ended up meeting Rahab, who happened to be a firm believer in Yahweh and His awesome power. Thus, she not only gave them whatever information they wanted, but she also saved their lives by hiding them when city guards came looking for them. After the guards left, she helped them to sneak out of the city safely. For her courage Yahweh made sure to spare her and her family when Jericho was captured (Joshua 1:10-2:21 and 6: 1-25).

Then there is the example of Yahweh taking care of His prophet, Elijah. Elijah was sent by God to give the message to wicked king Ahab: There would be a drought and famine for a length of time. Right after this message was given, Yahweh saw to it that Elijah was taken care of by sending Elijah to a water source and then commanding ravens (birds) to bring food to Elijah twice a day (1 Kings 17:1-6). Elijah had faith that Yahweh would provide his needs, and it was so.

After this incident with Elijah, there was a widow with a son who were suffering from the famine. She had only one meal's worth of food left, and then they were destined to die of starvation. Instead, Yahweh sent Elijah to her. Elijah asked her for food, upon which she explained her situation to him. Elijah told her to not be afraid for her food supply will not run out. She put faith in his words and made a meal for them all to share. True to Yahweh's word as spoken by Elijah, her food supply never ran out so that she and her son didn't suffer starvation for the remainder of the famine (1 Kings 17:7-16).

There is also the example of the imprisonments of the apostle Peter. Peter and some other disciples were arrested for preaching the news of Christ to the crowds. During the night Yahweh sent an angel to release them from the prison and directed them to continue preaching in the morning (Acts 5:17-21). Sometime later Peter was arrested again, and again Yahweh sent an angel to not only release him from the prison, but also to open the city gates so Peter could exit the city altogether (Acts 12:3-11). What makes this especially comforting is that Peter frequently displayed bouts of human weakness (Matthew 14:23-31, Matthew 26:33-34, 69-75, Galatians 2:11-14). In spite of these failures, God still saw the faith in Peter's heart and helped him anyway.

It is comforting to know that Yahweh is willing to do these kinds of things to help and encourage us. He owes us nothing, and yet He cares for us and watches over us. May we never forget His strengthening power!

Comforting Psalms (King James Version)

Psalm 23
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green patures; he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul ; He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Psalm 41:1-3
Blessed is he that considereth the poor; the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive, and he shall be blessed upon the earth; and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing; thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.

Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most high. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. The LORD of hosts is with us ; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.

Other Scriptures of Comfort (Darby Translation)

Psalms 29:11 -- Jehovah will give strength unto his people; Jehovah will bless his people with peace.

Psalms 4:8 -- In peace will I both lay me down and sleep; for thou, Jehovah, alone makest me to dwell in safety.

Psalms 37:10-11-- For yet a little while, and the wicked is not; and thou considerest his place, but he is not. But the meek shall possess the land, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of properity.

Romans 15:33 -- And the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

Romans 16:20 -- But the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 -- But the Lord of peace himself give you peace continually in every way. The Lord [be] with you all.

2 John 3 -- Grace shall be with you, mercy, peace from God [the] Father, and from [the] Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

Isaiah 35:3-4 -- Strengthen the weak hands and confirm the tottering knees. Say to them of a timid heart, Be strong, fear not; behold your God: vengeance cometh, the recompense of God! He will come himself and save you.