God Is Near!

Words of encouragement—that sounded so easy when I first had the idea to write about it. I really just wanted to put something together that would help friends of mine get through a tough time, perhaps offer some encouragement to the discouraged, maybe even replace a tear with a smile.

Personally, I have never been more discouraged than when I’ve been alone, or at least felt alone. I was visiting with a brother in Christ once who was discouraged. I asked him a question that may have changed my life more than his. I like to ask questions that are easy to answer, but, in the answering, make us see a particular point. I asked this friend, “Do you feel that God has abandoned you?” I intended for him to give the obvious answer, “No!” and then, magically understand, open his eyes, and realize God was still with him. To my amazement, he answered, “Yes!” Well, that caused me to change my approach drastically. I now had to convince him that God was still nearby (see Psalm 139).

From that day, I have made that question a regular part of my conversations with those who are discouraged to some degree. And a large number of them answer, “Yes, I feel abandoned by God!” Before we go any further, let me assure you, one and all, that God has not gone anywhere!! Did you read Psalm 139? Take out your Bible and do so if you have not already. Go ahead, I’ll wait!

Now, some may see a threat in these verses (i.e., God is everywhere, watching over your shoulder to see if you do something wrong), but I encourage you to look at this passage from the point of view of someone who is discouraged and feels that God has abandoned him or her. Maybe you’ve sunk to the depths of despair; you are deeper than you have ever been. Well, even in the deepest depths, God’s hand will lead you (verse 10). Even in the darkest night (gloomiest circumstances) God see you (verse 12).

Does it encourage you to know that you are in complete control? Well, I hate to tell you this, but you are not in complete control. But wait! There’s good news!! There is One Who is in complete control. And, if you belong to Him, He is on your side. And if you aren’t, you can be!! Wipe the tears away and smile, because God loves you and so do I.

Donnie Bates

An Encouraging Word

Several years ago, a young teenage girl in the congregation where I was preaching was feeling a lot of pressure to join in with her peers. Her eighth-grade class was planning a project that she didn’t feel she could participate in as a Christian. She told her teacher that should wouldn’t be able to participate. Some of her classmates thought she was a spoilsport who didn’t want to have fun and would ruin it for everyone else, too. The things that were said to her hurt. The victory she had won by holding to her principles was a painful one and she was very discouraged. It struck me at the time that Matthew 5:10-12 was an appropriate passage to share with her: Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for their is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophet who were before you.

Jesus says, in effect, when people say those kinds of things to you because of your faith, you are in good company! The young lady I described was encouraged by God’s Word and received the grace to help in her time of need (see Hebrews 4:16).

Christians are assailed from every direction today, including from within the church herself. We want to offer encouragement; a reason to hope and to feel that we are on the winning side of the Good Fight and not on the losing side.

In Romans 8:31, the apostle Paul asked, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” That is a question that every. Christian should consider. His point in asking was to say, “No one can overcome us, if we remain faithful to Him!” Paul went on to say, in verse 37 of that text, “In all these things we overwhelmingly conquer!” Notice what “things” from verse 35: Neither tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril or sword can separate us from the love of Christ. In verses 38, 39 he says that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing can separate us from the love of God. Pretty cool, huh? Just ask yourself, “Can this little thing that afflicts me today separate me from the love of God?” The answer is: No! No!! NO!!

I know that sometimes it sounds trite to say that God is on our side, and we can overcome. It never seems like the one who says it has been through what we’re suffering right this moment. Still, the One Who originally said it has been through it (see Hebrews 4:15). He knows what it is like to suffer what you are suffering. Know this: God knows you and He knows how to rescue the godly from temptation (see 1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Peter 2:9). He loves you and so do I.

Donnie Bates