Encouraging Each Other - "Consider Him."

From: The Christian Shepherd: 2003 By:

Hebrews 12:13; Hebrews 10:22‑25 • 4 min. read • grade level: 10

“Consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.” (See Hebrews 12:13¹³And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. (Hebrews 12:13) and Hebrews 10:22-25²²Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. ²³Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) ²⁴And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: ²⁵Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Hebrews 10:22‑25).)

These two passages assure us of our divine resource while emphasizing how important each Christian is in the encouragement of others. Put simply, these are inspiring scriptures. We count on our Lord being in the midst and see the examples of His life on earth (Heb. 12:3³For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. (Hebrews 12:3)). We also have human examples throughout God’s Word for our inspiration (Heb. 12:1¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (Hebrews 12:1)) as well as fellow-believers to help in time of need (Heb. 10:24-25²⁴And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: ²⁵Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24‑25)).

Everyone Needs Encouragement

We all need godly encouragement to properly fill our roles in the assembly, our families and the community. In these spheres of responsibility we keenly feel the quiet support of prayer warriors in the assembly. But they too need our prayers and encouragement.

As Joshua and his army fought Amalek at Rephidim, they were strengthened in knowing that Moses was making supplication to God for them. They had but to look up on the hill to see him there, hands extended toward heaven (Ex. 17:11-14¹¹And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. ¹²But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. ¹³And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. ¹⁴And the Lord said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. (Exodus 17:11‑14)). But Moses had need too. When his arms grew weary, the enemy prevailed against Israel. It is then that Aaron and Hur provided a seat for Moses (for rest) and held up his hands (for support).

Like Moses, we can strengthen those in “battle” by praying holding up our hands in supplication to God on their behalf while, like Aaron and Hur, we can also encourage and support those serving in prayer or other ministries. “Encourage... and build up each one the other” (1 Thess. 5:11¹¹Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. (1 Thessalonians 5:11) JND).

Encouragement Through Actions

David, in the confidence of faith that Jehovah would overcome Goliath (1 Sam. 17:26²⁶And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God? (1 Samuel 17:26)), ran to meet him with his sling and five smooth stones (vss. 45-51). When Saul and Israel saw his faith and the victory God gave as well as the subsequent scattering of the enemy (vs. 51), they were inspired to come out of hiding and help in the battle (vs. 52).

But such encouragement was not the result of David’s talking about the Lord’s power and victory in his personal battle with the lion and bear (vss. 34-37). Rather, it was his faith and confidence in action that spurred them and touched Jonathan’s heart.

Perhaps some truth or principle the Lord has revealed individually seems as though it ought to transform the lives of others also. But we soon learn that truth has little effect on others until we act on it for ourselves. When individual faith thus acts, it may seem to put one at risk, as David’s bravery before Goliath seemed to put him in harm’s way. But “if God be for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31³¹What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)).

Encouragement and Growth

Daniel’s godly exercise to abstain from eating the king’s meat was individual “Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself” (Dan. 1:8⁸But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. (Daniel 1:8)). The Lord had ordered circumstances in which Daniel’s faith was tested, resulting in his being brought into Melzar’s favor (vs. 9). Yet, when Daniel desires Melzar to prove him, he includes his three friends. This encouraged their faith, for later (ch. 2:17-18) they join with him in prayer for deliverance from certain death. “Daniel... made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: that they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret.”

The Lord’s perfect ordering of events, which strengthened Daniel’s personal faith and commitment to godly principles, inspired and encouraged his three friends. It was after this that the Lord allowed Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah’s personal faith to be more severely tested and that without the presence of Daniel (see ch. 3:17-27). Sometimes those who lack courage to act individually in faith are motivated to do so through the encouragement of other brethren the Lord provides. Later, having been reinforced by others’ faith and collective support, that one becomes inspired to act alone in personal faith and confidence in the Lord.

Conclusion