DAY 1: Offering the Gift of Encouragement

In the Gospels, we jump straight from Jesus’ adolescence into his adult life, and one of the first things we see him do is build his community. He went out and found the tribe of men who would walk alongside him for the next few years. But what I think is more fascinating than Jesus building his community is how he did it. Those twelve disciples were fishermen, tax collectors, politicians, bookkeepers, and the list goes on. I believe that God included the job titles of the disciples in Scripture to encourage us that they weren’t all the same. Jesus was teaching us that we all belong here. No matter who you are—your background, where you come from, or who you are friends with—you belong.

How encouraging is it to be reminded by the God of the universe that you possess a specific purpose? How do you think those men felt when Jesus hand-selected them? Aside from the fact that it was a strange man telling them to follow him, I’m sure they felt some affirmation or joy.

When building our tribe, when inviting people in, encouragement is an important ingredient we can’t forget. In its simplest form, encouragement can be felt through words of affirmation that comfort ourselves and others, meeting a deep human need that has been present since the beginning of time. Scripture reveals this desire clearly: Joshua was encouraged to “be strong and courageous. . . for the Lord your God will be with you” (Josh. 1:9). In a time of distress, David “found strength in the Lord his God” (1 Sam. 30:6). And in the midst of uncontrollable circumstances, Daniel sought this affirmation from the Lord in the lion’s den, and “no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God” (Dan. 6:23).

The true essence of encouragement lies in strengthening our hope and confidence in Jesus. By doing so, we can cultivate a more profound sense of trust and faith in his divine plan for our lives. Through encouragement we find the strength and resilience to overcome challenges and obstacles encountered along the way.

Prayer

Lord, I am humbled by your love and everlasting presence. Thank you for walking with me through all the challenges I face, and please help me offer encouragement to others. Amen.