The Importance of Encouragement

Hezekiah was one of the Old Testament’s last good kings. He lived in a difficult time 2 Chronicles 32.

In the first part of our chapter Hezekiah is busy fixing walls, securing water supplies and stocking up the armory. Like us today, busy with life.

But over and above all these practical arrangements, Hezekiah does a really important thing: He encourages the people.

Let’s watch him:

1. He gathers the people in an assembly. Sometimes one needs to make an occasion of  encouragement.
2. He calls the virtues of strength and courage out of them. God places these virtues in us. Sometimes these need to be called out of us.
3. He acknowledges the reality of fear and discouragement and calls them to make a decision about these negative emotions.
4. He puts the enemy into context: The Assyrian King may have a vast army, but he is only human. With Israel is the “LORD our God” who “is with us” and will “fight our battles”. (The “LORD” is in capital letters to indicate that Hezekiah is using the holiest name of God – “Yahweh” – the name revealed to Moses when he led the Israelites out of Egypt.) 
5. The people gained confidence 

Today we are pressed, squeezed, challenged, drained, exhausted, intimidated and bullied by many difficulties. We need to be encouraged and we need to be encouragers.  
Yesterday we went to get a cup of coffee and we asked the barista her name, and how she was doing? We asked if there was anything she needed prayer for? As tears filled this mother’s eyes she shared her story. We followed God’s leading and just encouraged her.

She said something very important: “ I have met many Christian people, but not one of them has ever asked to pray for me!”

You can be like Hezekiah – you can show someone the love of God, Take a moment to pray, asking God to show you who to encourage today.