READING: Hebrews 5-8
“. . . And let us watch out for one another to provoke love and good works.”
Hebrews 10:24
We miss one of the points of gathering as a church, in my opinion – and I count myself among the guilty. The writer of Hebrews was writing to believers who apparently weren’t always faithful to their gatherings. Some, too, apparently needed encouragement to persevere. With these needs in mind, he wrote these words: “Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful. And let us watch out for one another to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching” (Heb. 10:23-25).
The writer knew without question that God is always faithful to His promises. He is worthy of our allegiance, our commitment, our lives. He is both our Savior and our ultimate Judge who will return again, so we must be faithful to Him each day. In fact, He loves us so much that He created the church and gives us brothers and sisters in Christ to walk with us. They encourage us, strengthen us, challenge us, provoke us to do good, and pick us up when we struggle. At no time does He intend us to walk alone – we’re the ones who sometimes unwisely choose to walk by ourselves.
That’s where I think the church could be much stronger. We’re not very good at intentionally encouraging each other to be faithful to God no matter what that faith costs us.
ACTION STEPS:
- Help change this pattern—encourage somebody today.
- Look forward to attending church this week, trusting that you will come away encouraged as well.
PRAYER: “God, I commit myself to be an encouragement to other believers. I will not tear them down; I will build them up.”
TOMORROW’S READING: 2 Timothy 1-4