The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in Colossians 4:8,
"I am sending him [Tychicus] to you for the express purpose... that he may encourage your hearts."
Paul also said he was going to send Tychicus to Colossae bring them news as to what was happening in his neck of the woods. However, it is this second part of Tychicus' mission that captures my thoughts this morning: encouragement.
Here is something I think we all need from time to time. Encouragement brings refreshment to the soul, a renewed resolve to wrestle those things that need wrestling in our lives, renewed vigor and strength in times of need. Encouragement can bring fresh commitment and determination where we may otherwise falter. Encouragement is what we need when we are down, when we are depressed, worn out, tired, or when we are just a hot mess.
Merriam-Webster defines "encourage" as: "to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope". We read in Romans 12:6-8 that the gift of being able to encourage others is a something God gives to certain ones for use in the lives of others. Our loving and caring God knows we all need encouragement from time to time and it is just like him to enable and empower certain ones for that purpose in our lives.
There is an emphasis on encouragement in the life of the church. In the Scriptures Paul tells his readers to encourage one another, 2 Corinthians 13:11. He tells the Thessalonian believers to encourage one another with his words, 1 Thessalonians 4:18. Paul also sent Tychicus to Ephesus to encourage the believers there, Ephesians 6:22 and Timothy to Thessalonica to encourage the believers there. In his charge to Timothy, Paul reminded him to encourage all those he ministered to, 2 Timothy 4:2, as well as Titus, where he told him to do so with "all authority", Titus 2:15. So important is this need for encouragement, the writer of Hebrews says, "Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called 'Today,' so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." Hebrews 3:13.
This acknowledgement from God in the Scriptures of our need for encouragement, as well as his provision of enabling and empowering many to minister to us in this way within the ranks of the church speak to me of God's loving care and concern for those who are his.
Be encouraged! The Lord is sending someone our way!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
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