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We’re part of God’s global family. Some are blessed while others are lonely and discouraged. Hebrews provides a remedy for discouragement. Find out! 


Read Hebrews 10:19–25

‘Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.’ (vv23–25)

As we serve the Lord each day, it is good to know we are part of the bigger, worldwide family of God. Yet, as with any family, at times, the various members can face trials and discouragement.

 Whichever method we choose, the important thing is that we ‘one another’ one another. 

Whilst some people may be happily serving and feeling blessed, others might be feeling isolated and discouraged. 

The Hebrews writer gives us an antidote to discouragement, by exhorting us to get involved with ‘one another’. This includes spurring one another on (v24), encouraging each other to keep going. Essentially, this also involves regularly meeting together (v25a). 

The recent pandemic made meeting together particularly challenging, and for many was cruel and isolating. Yet we can praise God that there are various ways of meeting, be that online or face to face. 

Keeping the wider family of God in mind, along with the encouragement of the Lord’s return, can motivate us all to keep going.

We can even encourage one another through letters and other written communication. Whichever method we choose, the important thing is that we ‘one another’ one another. 

Our motivation for doing so is two-fold. Firstly, we can encourage each other to ‘hold unswervingly to the hope we profess’ (v23). Secondly, we do so in the light of the Lord’s return as we ‘see the Day approaching’ (v25).

Keeping the wider family of God in mind, along with the encouragement of the Lord’s return, can motivate us all to keep going.

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A PRAYER TO MAKE:
‘Lord, thank You for Your worldwide family. Help me to encourage my brothers
and sisters, all the more as I see the Day approaching. Amen.’

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AN ACTION TO TAKE:
How might you encourage someone today? Perhaps a call, a note or a visit.

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SCRIPTURE TO CONSIDER:
Prov. 27:17; John 13:31–34; Acts 2:42–47; Rom. 12:9– 21

Photo by Sebastián León Prado on Unsplash
Micha Jazz is Director of Resources at Waverley Abbey, UK.