\u201cI\u00a0 \u00a0need\u00a0 \u00a0encouragement, \u00a0you\u00a0 \u00a0need\u00a0 \u00a0encouragement, we \u00a0\u00a0ALL \u00a0\u00a0need<\/p>\n
encouragement !\u201d The words of the speaker wafted on, and I little dreamed how<\/p>\n
these introductory words would stick in my mind for over fifty years!<\/p>\n
I can see now after a span of years, that to encourage\u00a0 others is one of the best<\/p>\n
gifts that God has given to each one of us. No matter how old or how young we<\/p>\n
are, we can all say nice things to others, especially those in our own family.<\/p>\n
David, in spite of knowing God so well, is a classic example of one who<\/p>\n
needed encouragement. Jonathan and David were best friends. They had clicked<\/p>\n
right from the start of their first meeting in Saul\u2019s court . Jonathan liked David very<\/p>\n
much, with his youthful freshness and good looks that took everyone\u2019s eye. As<\/p>\n
they talked together that they both felt the other was a special friend. They<\/p>\n
thought alike and Jonathan loved the way David appreciated God, while David felt<\/p>\n
he had someone he could trust in the dangerous court of King Saul.<\/p>\n
Even more than Jonathan looking after David\u2019s needs, was his appreciation of<\/p>\n
God\u2019s plans for David\u2019s future. He not only knew that God’s plan was for David to<\/p>\n
be the next king, but he was happy about it and planned that he would be second<\/p>\n
in command. When David was on the run for his life, he would meet him as often<\/p>\n
as he could, and encourage him in the Lord looking to the future when he would<\/p>\n
work with David as King. They were so sure of this that they made a covenant<\/p>\n
(promise) together before the Lord promising that they would always keep it.<\/p>\n
But the time came when they were separated, to see each other no more, and<\/p>\n
David was left without the comfort of Jonathan\u2019s encouragement.<\/p>\n
Perhaps you are missing friends you once had and now you are separated from<\/p>\n
them. \u00a0What can you do? \u00a0What did David do?<\/p>\n
David told \u00a0God all about it. Things couldn\u2019t have looked blacker for him. His friend<\/p>\n
was gone, his enemies were still after him, and they had taken his wife and family<\/p>\n
captive and his own men had turned against him.<\/p>\n
We have times when we feel like this. We all have enemies of fears, doubts,<\/p>\n
and other problems, even not feeling well; these enemies\u00a0 seem about to swamp<\/p>\n
us at times. David may have wondered where God was in all this mess\u2026..where<\/p>\n
were His promises now? However could he get out of all this?<\/p>\n
But he took himself to task, and sang these songs\u2026.\u201dWhy are you so cast down O my soul? Hope<\/p>\n
in God!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBe of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy heart is fixed O God\u201d, he would say, \u201cI will sing and give You praise in spite of<\/p>\n
my enemies!\u201d<\/p>\n
So we too, can fix our hearts and minds on the Lord and not be afraid of bad<\/p>\n
things. We can think about Him and count our blessings. Think of all we can be<\/p>\n
thankful for in spite of our circumstances and we\u00a0 will be encouraged with a fresh<\/p>\n
outlook on things. It is surprising what a difference a thankful spirit makes, and<\/p>\n
being thankful for the outcome of our prayers BEFORE we see the answer will<\/p>\n
give the peace of God that passes all understanding.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cI\u00a0 \u00a0need\u00a0 \u00a0encouragement, \u00a0you\u00a0 \u00a0need\u00a0 \u00a0encouragement, we \u00a0\u00a0ALL \u00a0\u00a0need encouragement !\u201d The words of the speaker wafted on, and I little dreamed how these introductory words would stick in my mind for over fifty years! I can see now after a span of years, that to encourage\u00a0 others is one of the best gifts that … Continue reading Are You Feeling Down?<\/span>