Encouragement, promises of God’s

God’s encouragement affirmed

Psalm 10:17–18 NASB95

O Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear To vindicate the orphan and the oppressed, So that man who is of the earth will no longer cause terror.

See also 1 Ch 29:12; Ps 89:20–21; Is 41:10; Is 49:13; Je 29:11; Zec 1:17; Ac 20:32; 1 Pe 5:10

Means by which God encourages believers

Meditation on his law and word

Jos 1:8–9; Ro 15:4

See also Ps 1:1–3; Heb 12:5

Experience of the Holy Spirit

Jn 14:16–17 The word used for Spirit here means “Counsellor” or “one who encourages or comforts”.

See also Ac 9:31; Ro 8:18–27; Php 2:1

Experience of God’s encouragement

2 Corinthians 4:16–18 NASB95

Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

See also 1 Sa 30:6; Ps 86:17; Is 52:9; Da 10:18–19; Ac 9:31; Ac 23:11; 2 Co 1:3–4; 2 Ti 4:17; Heb 6:18; Heb 12:5; 1 Pe 1:3

God’s encouragement experienced through the words and actions of others

Jdg 7:11 Gideon and the dream of the Midianite soldier; 2 Ch 15:8; Ezr 6:22 the returned exiles helped by the king of Assyria; Ac 28:15; 2 Co 7:4; 2 Co 7:13

Commands to be encouraged

1 Corinthians 16:13 NASB95

Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

See also Dt 31:6–8; Jos 1:6–8; Jos 1:18; Jos 10:25; 1 Ch 22:13; 1 Ch 28:20; 2 Ch 19:11; 2 Ch 32:7 King Hezekiah; Ezr 10:4; Ps 27:14; Is 54:2 growth of the nation of Israel after the exile; Mt 14:27

Paul to his shipmates:

Ac 27:22; Ac 27:25; Ac 27:36

Effects of being encouraged

Isaiah 40:30–31 NASB95

Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.

See also Ps 25:3; Ro 15:5; 1 Co 14:3; 2 Co 3:12; Php 2:1–2; Col 2:2; 1 Th 2:11–12

Prayers for encouragement

2 Thessalonians 2:16–17 NASB95

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.

See also Ne 6:9; Ps 119:28; Is 38:14; Ro 15:5–6; Col 1:10–12