40 Days of Encouragement
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days of Encouragement
Day 31 | TAKE COURAGE
40 Days of Encouragement
Day 31 | TAKE COURAGE
TAKE COURAGE
Psalm 31:24
“Be strong and let your hearts take courage, All you who wait for and confidently expect the Lord.” (AMP)
Have you noticed that life is NOT a “bowl of cherries”? Have you noticed that things are challenging, and the days are getting (it seems) darker?
I know this might not sound very “encouraging” – which is the thrust of this 40-day series – but let me explain.
Being “encouraged” does not mean becoming a “Pollyanna” and walking around saying “all is perfect in the world” when things are not.
As I shared in an early devotional, the word “encourage” is made up of two words: “en” – which means to put something INTO something else, and “courage” (from the French) – which means “heart.” And our “hearts” are the seat of our emotions… how and where we feel. So, to encourage someone is to help put some strength or courage into someone else’s heart.
So now, back to my opening statements.
If you agree that things in your life, or your town, state, or country, are NOT “a bowl of cherries,” my first reaction would be to remind you that this current world is BROKEN and SINFUL. Further, Satan is the “prince of the power of the air,” and he is here to “kill, steal and destroy” (see John 10:10).
Now, look again at today’s verse. Written by David – who had more problems than I can even imagine – he is saying in the song, “Be strong and let your heart take courage.”
Let’s assume your “heart” could use some strengthening; how does that happen?
Spend time with the LORD. Wait on Him and “confidently EXPECT” that He will draw near you and ENCOURAGE your heart. He’ll put the strength YOU need into your heart so that you can live brightly in our dark, broken world.
Prayer: LORD, it sometimes seems too simple to WAIT on You, but that is what You’re saying here. Help me to remember to do just that daily. Amen.
Psalm 31:24
“Be strong and let your hearts take courage, All you who wait for and confidently expect the Lord.” (AMP)
Have you noticed that life is NOT a “bowl of cherries”? Have you noticed that things are challenging, and the days are getting (it seems) darker?
I know this might not sound very “encouraging” – which is the thrust of this 40-day series – but let me explain.
Being “encouraged” does not mean becoming a “Pollyanna” and walking around saying “all is perfect in the world” when things are not.
As I shared in an early devotional, the word “encourage” is made up of two words: “en” – which means to put something INTO something else, and “courage” (from the French) – which means “heart.” And our “hearts” are the seat of our emotions… how and where we feel. So, to encourage someone is to help put some strength or courage into someone else’s heart.
So now, back to my opening statements.
If you agree that things in your life, or your town, state, or country, are NOT “a bowl of cherries,” my first reaction would be to remind you that this current world is BROKEN and SINFUL. Further, Satan is the “prince of the power of the air,” and he is here to “kill, steal and destroy” (see John 10:10).
Now, look again at today’s verse. Written by David – who had more problems than I can even imagine – he is saying in the song, “Be strong and let your heart take courage.”
Let’s assume your “heart” could use some strengthening; how does that happen?
Spend time with the LORD. Wait on Him and “confidently EXPECT” that He will draw near you and ENCOURAGE your heart. He’ll put the strength YOU need into your heart so that you can live brightly in our dark, broken world.
Prayer: LORD, it sometimes seems too simple to WAIT on You, but that is what You’re saying here. Help me to remember to do just that daily. Amen.
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