Video Points

• Believers are instructed to encourage one another.
• To encourage means to “give courage.”
• Encouragement is a daily activity.

Memory Verse

“But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘Today,’ so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 3:13 NAS

Today’s Reading

Job 2:10–3:5, 40:1-8, 42:1-17

Devotion

Lament

In his personal crisis of faith, how did Job work through his excruciating pain?

Job somehow accepted the good with the bad. Just as he had said, “The Lord gives” earlier, here he recalls that he’s accepted the good things the Lord’s given. Why curse God when He allows trouble? Job didn’t expect a God who allowed no pain in the world, but one in whom he could trust.

Job’s friends helped with their presence. But for the rest of the book, they spouted ignorance instead of truth, according to God’s post-debate debrief. Their best moments involved merely sitting in silence with their hurting friend.

Eventually, Job voiced his lament. In fact, he cursed the very day he came to life, apparently deeming that better (and safer?) than cursing God. The Lord, silent over Job’s suffering and pleas for the first 37 chapters, hears Job’s case. As Job wrestles over suffering and faith with his friends and the Lord, this hurting man certainly makes mistakes. But by the end God forgives entirely any sins committed by a repentant Job, restoring him fully.

You’ll likely never experience the hardships that Job faced, but you do face difficult times. So do others you know. Would it help to pour out your heart to God aloud, on paper, or in some other way? Do you know a struggling friend who could benefit from your presence—not to share your advice, but simply to hang out together?

Questions for Thought

1. What are the times that you feel most encouraged?
2. What are some practical things you can do each day to encourage other believers?
3. Why do you think the author of Hebrews stresses the daily aspect of encouragement?