To Encourage You

Luke 4:22 “And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth.”

Mark 1:22 “And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.”

I don’t know about you, but I get weary of some of the things I hear throughout the day.  If you spend any time on social media, watching TV, or listening to the radio, no doubt you’ll hear the accusations and counter accusations of the various sides of the political spectrum. If you happen to see any video clips of what’s been going on in America’s cities, you’ll hear some vile things being screamed.  But even in your one-on-one conversations with friends and neighbors, how much gossip, frustration, or other non-uplifting communication might you hear (or be a part of)?  What opinions will you hear today? What opinions will you offer?  So, how enlightening and uplifting will they be?  Wouldn’t it be nice to hear some things that were uplifting?  Wouldn’t it be wonderful to hear something better?

Well, in the verses above we get a glimpse of the way it can be. We see the possibility of something that is vastly superior.  What is it?  It’s the glorious things that come from the mouth of God.  In the verses above, we see some of the ways that people reacted when they heard Jesus speak.  They marveled at the gracious words that fell from His lips. They were astonished by His incredible teaching.  And as He answered those who tried to discredit Him with their insidious questioning, He demonstrated His divine wisdom by stopping them in their tracks with His answers. 

Well, we can avail ourselves of these same teachings if we will only open God’s Word and read.  What more glorious words were ever spoken by anyone to anyone than the words Jesus spoke to the thief on the cross that are recorded in Luke 23:43: “Today, you will be with me in paradise.”  Or this from John 11:26: “Everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.”  Or from John 14:1-3: “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”  And it’s not just the “red letters” of the New Testament that are so awesome. The entire Bible, from cover to cover, consists of the wonderful words of God. All the warnings, all the encouragements, all the instruction, all of it is filled to the brim with glorious truth meant to bless our lives with love, hope, and peace. 

The apostle Peter tells us this about the promises of God from the pages of the Scriptures: “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him Who called us to His own glory and excellence,by which He has granted to us His precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire” (2 Peter 1:3-4). Of those things you might otherwise hear (or say) today, how might they compare with this? 

There is perhaps no greater summary of the glory and value of God’s Word than in the words given to us in Psalm 19:7-11: “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.”

In contrast to so much that is worthless that can enter our ears, the precious and glorious words of God are available to all who will hear.  May God give us the wisdom to sit at His feet and listen to His gracious and glorious words today.  May we understand the reality of the words of the well-known hymn: “How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in His excellent Word! What more can He say than to you He hath said, You, who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?”  What wonderful words these are to take into our lives. What wonderful truths God has given to us to fill our minds. 

So, what will you choose today; the glorious words of God or other things that are so much less?