Trust is a powerful factor in relationships. Trust engenders honor. Trust ascribes value. Trust says you are important. Trust says I’ve checked you out and you have character and integrity. Psalm 118:8 (AMPC) says: “It is better to trust and take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” This is not saying that we cannot trust people. There are trustworthy people around us. It is saying that we need to primarily trust God and His word. He has to be first. If we trust what people say over what God says, it will lead us astray. When God is the bedrock of our lives, nothing people say or do will lead us astray. Jeremiah 17:5 (AMP) says: “Thus says the Lord, “Cursed is the man who trusts in and relies on mankind, making [weak, faulty human] flesh his strength, and whose mind and heart turn away from the Lord”. Note how the prophet emphasizes that we must stay away from trusting in weak, faulty flesh. We are not to allow “flesh” to turn our hearts away from the Lord. So today, we need to make a personal assessment and see where our trust is. If it is in the wrong place, today is the perfect day to make the needed adjustment. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths”. Proverbs 3:5,6.
Paul said this to encourage us!
The Apostle Paul knew the importance of mutual encouragement. He taught the brethren to watch over each other and to continually encourage each other in the faith. In Ephesians 6: 21, 22 (AMP), Paul told the Ephesian brethren: “Now, so that you may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will tell you everything. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are, and that he may comfort and encourage and strengthen your hearts.” He was very aware that the brethren went through many difficulties, so they needed encouragement. He also knew that they were praying for him, so he wanted to update them on how he was doing. He also shared this very important point in Hebrews 3:13: “But exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Part of the strength of their fellowship was that they guarded each others’ hearts from being hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. The fellowship of the saints mutually protected, encouraged and uplifted them. They continually prayed for each other, and watched each others’ backs. Now it’s our turn. We need to watch over each other, encourage each other, minister to each other, pray for each other and be accountable to each other. In the fellowship of the saints, there is strength, stability, confidence, joy, peace, provision, wisdom, and the blessing of being part of the family of God!
1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.”
