Encouragement

In the midst of David moving around from place to place trying to find a secure location against the murderous threats of Saul, David gets a bit of an encouragement:

Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God. 1 Samuel 23:16

Doing what is right will cause people to hate you. Simple as that. Jesus put it this way:

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

If that wasn't enough, he also put it this way:

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.  Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. John 15:18-21

Paul put it like this:

In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted... 2 Tim. 3:12

So, we know that we as Christians will be persecuted, we will face trouble. Shouldn't we as Christians be like Jonathan and find those godly men and women who are being persecuted and encourage them to stay strong in their faith?


You can begin to make your own list. It might include those Christians in Egypt who have been killed in recent days. You might visit a website such as http://www.persecution.com/ to learn of others. Or you may know of someone personally who is under pressure or attack because of their faith.


Father, help me to be a Jonathan, and not a Saul! Help me to lift up those who are discouraged, for the sake of Jesus! Amen.