We underestimate the impact we have on others for good or bad. We go through our day oblivious to how and what we communicate to others. People are desperate for an encouraging word. In contrast, criticism and complaining negatively affect a family, church or family. Recent studies show that encouragement is a key to attracting people to the service professions like nursing, teaching and even the ministry.
The heartache and discouragement of peoples’ sin drove the Psalmist to weeping (Psalm 6:8). God confronts the evil we face and rewards integrity and righteousness (Psalm 7:8-9). God loves anything that encourages or builds up. He also wants to remove the negative.
Someday, everything will be made right. God allowed Christ to rule over created things in the universe so everything would ultimately submit to Him (Psalm 8:6-9). We share in God’s work to defeat our enemies, including the world, flesh and devil.
As we give thanks to the Lord with all our heart, He will defeat our enemies. At the same time, God will support and protect us (Psalm 9:1-6).
People can encourage us, but they cannot remove sin from our lives. God hears our weeping and establishes us according to our righteousness and integrity. Our responsibility is to forsake wickedness and cling to Christ with a pure heart. We do this by heartily giving thanks to the Lord. Our chief weapon to defeat the world, flesh and devil is thanking Him for the victory.
What sin is God revealing in your heart as you allow Him to search it? Let Christ rule in your heart right now and thank Him for His victory over the world, flesh and devil.
