Encourage to Strengthen

Daniel 10:17-19 (NIV)

¹⁷ How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe.”

¹⁸ Again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength. ¹⁹ “Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed,” he said. “Peace! Be strong now; be strong.”

   When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength.”

 

 

.. Clearly, this “one who looked like a man” isn’t God Himself but one of His angels.  Daniel, being completely sapped out with strength and can hardly breathe, got strength from the encouraging words given to him by the angel. 

.. Lesson:  A word of true encouragement can not only lift up but it can give strength.

 

.. How many times have I been given an encouragement that gave me strength for the day?  Whether it be delivered by a literal angel or by the Word of God or by someone who spoke the Word of God in my life, how have I received it?  Did I use that word of encouragement to provide strength in me?  Or did I take the word for granted?  Know that each encouragement we receive given to us by God – through His Word, His people, His songs, etc. is meant to give us strength. 

.. On the other hand, how much have we held back with giving someone an encouraging word to build them up and to give them strength as well?  Our encouragement may just be the only word they needed to hear for them to have the strength to go on…

 

2 Things:

1.  Receive Encouragement for Strength

2.  Give Encouragement to Strengthen Others

 

// Lord, I know I’ve received encouragements that really just boosted up my strength with extra power to go on in this life.  I know that Your Word that encourages me daily gives me the ability to have the strength and have air to breathe.  Forgive me for taking lightly the things that have given me strength through the encouragement of others or even through Your Word.  Help me to be more mindful of the Word that was given to me, or that I’ve heard that I may take on strength from them for they are rooted in Your most Holy Word.  I pray that You will help me to be proactive in encouraging others as well; that they may also have the strength that they need.  Thank you for Your living Word!  In Jesus’ name, amen.