Hebrews 10:25 KJV– ‘Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another…’
The word “exhorting” is a powerful word! It comes from the Greek word parakaleo, a compound of the words para and kaleo. Para means alongside and kaleo means to call or speak to someone. When these two words are put together, it depicts someone who is right alongside a person, urging him, beseeching him, begging him to make some kind of correct decision.
In ancient Greek culture, this word was often used by military leaders before they sent their troops into battle. The leaders would summon their troops together and speak straightforward with them about the potential dangers of the battlefield. They’d also tell their troops about the glories of winning a major victory. Rather than ignore the clear-cut dangers of battle, these officers came right alongside their troops and urged, exhorted, beseeched, begged, and pleaded with them to stand tall, throw their shoulders back, look the enemy straight on – eyeball to eyeball – and bravely face the battle.
Walking by faith and doing the will of God sometimes places us in the midst of spiritual battles. Sometimes these battles aren’t won quickly.
If you know someone who is discouraged because their fight isn’t won yet, speak to that person truthfully and in a straightforward manner the way a commanding officer would speak to his troops. Remind the person of people who have stood the test of time and won their battles. And be sure to remind them of the sweetness of victory when the battle is over. They need to hear a passionate, heartfelt word of exhortation from you!
The word “exhort” in Hebrews 10:25 can be understood like, “When you’re feeling down and out — like a failure who is falling behind everyone else — that isn’t the time for you to stay away from other believers, as some are in the habit of doing. That is the very time that you need to come together for the sake of encouragement so you can face your battles with bravery.…”
Do you know people who need some encouragement today? Instead of letting the day slip by, why not take the time right now to call those individuals and encourage them? If you can’t call them, how about writing a note that will help them focus on their victory?
Think back to all the moments in your own life when someone came alongside you to give encouragement. Didn’t it make a big difference in your life?
Now it’s your turn to return this blessing to someone else. Determine today to be a real comrade in the Lord to another Christian soldier. Make it your aim to speak words of encouragement to those around you today. If you see someone discouraged, or if you know someone who has been struggling in their faith, go out of your way to encourage the troops!
PRAYER: Lord, today I want to be used by You to encourage someone! Lead me to those You want me to encourage. Tell me what to say, how much to say, and when to say it. Teach me to recognize the needs in other people and not to focus solely on my needs. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen!