FORGET NOT HIS ENCOURAGING WORDS

By: Dennis Harworth

It is the bottom of the ninth in the Championship game.  The game is tied.  Two out, two on, with runners on first and second.  The pitch count goes to 3-2, so both runners will be going on the next pitch.  There is a ground ball up the middle straight to the center fielder.  The third base coach is waving the runner home and yelling, “Go! Go! Go!”.  The throw to the plate is a split second late as the head first slide is just under the tag for the winning run.  The home crowd cheers wildly and the teammates enthusiastically mob the runner at home plate.

I can tell you firsthand that seeing the third base coach waving me home is both thrilling and encouraging.  Thrilling, because with the game on the line, your adrenalin is off the charts and you have an exciting chance to win the big game.  Encouraging, because the third base coach knows your ability and has confidence in you to put the game on the line.

There are moments in life when you need to hear encouraging words.  More than any third base coach, God knows everything about you (Psalm 139:1). Since He fearfully and wonderfully made you (Psalm 139:14), He knows what you are capable of and will tell you exactly what you need to hear – whether you want to hear it or not.  Nevertheless, God’s infallible Word is packed full of great and precious promises that should encourage, exhort, and excite you.  Unfortunately, many have forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as His children (Hebrews 12:5 NLT).

In the original Greek, the word for “encouraging” here is paraklesis.  The Greek Lexicon defines this as “an exhortation, admonition, or encouragement for the purpose of strengthening and establishing the believer’s possession of redemption”.  It is derived from parakaleo, a compound word of para, meaning “alongside” and kaleo, meaning “to call or to beckon someone”.  These two words compounded together depict someone who is right alongside a person, urging, encouraging, instructing, and pleading them to strengthen their faith. 

God loves you enough to encourage you, correct you, guide you, and to keep you going.  He is there right alongside you, telling you to “Go! Go! Go!  Here are my top ten verses of God’s personal encouraging words that I would like to share with you for when you feel discouraged, weak, or in need of His loving assurance.

I will go before you, I will be you, I will not fail you… (Deuteronomy 31:8)

God goes before you. Whatever lies ahead, you can move

forward knowing that He will never abandon you or fail you.

I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will hold you steady… (Isaiah 41:10)

God reminds you that you don't have to face life's problems alone. He promises

to strengthen you, help you, and hold you up with His victorious right hand.

I will be with you through deep waters… (Isaiah 43:2 NLT)

God doesn't promise that you will never experience trials. He promises

His presence through them all; letting you know you are not alone.

I give you power and strength … (Isaiah 40:29 NLT)

God's strength is not limited by your weakness.  You don't have to be perfect or have your life all together to experience His power and strength working in you.

I have a future and a hope for you… (Jeremiah 29:11)

Even when your life doesn't make sense, God invites you to trust that His plans are filled with hope and that your present struggles do not define your future.

I correct you because I love you… (Proverbs 3:11–12)

God's correction is not a rejection.  He lovingly guides you because you

 belong to Him, just as a loving father cares for his child.

I will give you rest from your burdens… (Matthew 11:28)

Jesus invites you when you are tired, burdened, and overwhelmed to come

to Him.  You don't have to pretend to be strong when you need His rest.

I will stay close to you, instructing and guiding you … (Psalm 32:8 TPT)

God doesn't leave you to figure everything out on your own.  He promises

wisdom and direction as you seek Him and listen to His instruction.

I will continue My work in you… (Philippians 1:6 NLT)

God is not finished with you.  Even when you see weaknesses or unfinished

areas in your life, you can trust Him to continue shaping you.

I will never leave you or forsake… (Hebrews 13:5)

God's faithfulness does not depend on your circumstances.  When life

feels uncertain, His promise to remain with you gives you a strong assurance.

God intimately knows all about you and still deeply loves you anyway.  He has complete confidence in you and is urging and encouraging you on to a victorious life.  So, may these verses remind you that God is right alongside you to love you, guide you and let you know you never, ever, have to go through life alone. When you realize this, you will also experience the joy of the presence of God that has a more exciting and exhilarating effect than scoring the winning run in the championship game. Therefore, really take to heart what God is personally telling you and then FORGET NOT HIS ENCOURAGING WORDS.