It seems every day we encounter those who are in need of an encouraging word.
To be those who can give an encouraging word, we are going to need to be in the source of all encouragement.
“The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.” (Isaiah 50:4, NIV)
To have God’s Word in our hearts means more than just being able to quote them or throw them around in response to people’s needs. There must be more in order for those words to be life giving.
Our words will often deliver encouragement to the downtrodden, instruction to the searching, an exhortation to the wayward, and yes, even advice to the confused. And most often this will all take place in the simple, everyday conversations.
And those life giving words come from God alone.
It is a divine equipping which enables us to know how to use our words compassionately to deliver a needed word. We need to have a knowledge of Scriptures, but it is God who will tell us when to speak, and what to say, so as to strengthen those around us.
Join me at Woman to Woman Ministries HERE as we look at the source of encouragement and the importance of reading God’s Word daily.
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This is a beautiful post, Joanne. I don’t remember seeing this verse before. You’ve given me a few more ways to pray … that God would give me a “well-instructed tongue” and the ability to know what words might sustain the weary. Thank you for this encouragement today!
I so appreciate you, Lois. Left to myself, my words would not be instructed nor sustaining. I am so grateful for the words He gives and the words He keeps me from speaking 🙂
What a difference an encouraging word can make. Thank you, Joanne, for your ongoing ministry of encouragement.
So much about this post to love Ms. Joanne. While you are among the most encouraging folks I know, you go beyond mere encouragement. You edify (improve or instruct) in godly ways through your knowledge and understanding of God’s Word. Your knowledge says you have hidden His Word in your heart. Your wisdom says that you understand how to apply God’s Word in your and others’ lives. You also exhort (strongly encourage or urge) others to apply your wisdom-gained knowledge. Both these go above mere encouragement (e.g., “you’ve got this”, “you can do it”). Your edification and exhortation moves us to action. Thank you ma’am.
You have no idea how you have encouraged me. So often I think I am way too serious. I am so grateful for the way God’s Word works in us to bring correction and deeper roots. It is His Word that moves us to action. Bless you, friend!