Encouragement: The Rationale, the Source and the Approach

Daily Devotional – Friday, October 1, 2021

Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)

In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Paul encouraged believers not to grieve like other human beings who had no hope. He reminded them of the certainty of resurrection for believers who die in Christ.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Paul’s noted that the end times would be fearful, especially for non-believers. However, Christians were not to fear because they were ‘children of the light.’

Then the Apostle made this profound statement, “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.” (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10).

This was a timely message considering the perilous times these believers were undergoing.  This is how Paul concluded this section:  “Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

Believers were to offer a shoulder to lean on to those who were grieving. Words of comfort would be of immense help to Christians who were worried about end-time events. Each Christians was to build up the other.

Like the faithful in Thessalonica, we face many challenges that can make us afraid and worried. We lose loved ones. Sickness invades our lives. Our relationships break. Businesses fail. We lose jobs, and so on.

We need to remind one another, constantly, that God “… has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature…” (2 Peter 1:4).

Lord Jesus, help be the shoulder that another person can lean on today.