Light and Encouragment

Psalm 119: 73-80 Yod י 73 Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments. 74 They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word. 75 I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. 76 Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant. 77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight. 78 Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts. 79 Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies. 80 Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.

Encouragement is one of the most profound tools we have to strengthen ourselves and others. Let us focus on encouragement from two angles. We can receive encouragement in the Lord, and we can give and receive encouragement one believer to another. As Paul explains in Hebrews 10, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)

The Psalm mentioned twice the affect that God’s presence in us encourages those with God’s presence also. At the beginning we see, “They that fear thee will be glad when they see me,” and again at the end of the psalm, “Let those that fear thee turn unto me.” We are asked to be an available source of His light and encouragement, and further that we would have a positive lifting up effect on others that are apart of God’s kingdom.

However, if we are honest, our flesh can get in the way of this calling. We can become distracted and negative and taken away by the cares of this world. The solution? Meditation on God’s goodness, on His mercy, on His righteousness, on His precepts. In these things we will never be found embarrassed of ashamed, because He never lets us down, and He never fails. If we can stay focused on these things about Him, if we can be encouraged by Him, and His nature, then with His endless encouragement we can be a source of encouragement for others.

The letter Yod, symbolized God’s divine spark. It represents His presence in all creation, and the endless potential hidden in His presence. The letter Yod also reminds us of His goodness, and that as long as He is there, we are never alone. With this in mind, we are called to be bearers of His presence.

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Mathew 5:14-15)

We are asked to be a source of encouragement in the world, and specifically for other children of God. Yet, we can only do this if we stay rooted in the encouragement we receive from Him. If we know His hands have fashioned us, that He is good, and that He is in control of the universe; this is the greatest inspiration and encouragement we could come to know. Further the Psalm reminds us that His hands have done this, our creation as individuals was not some passive action, it was a careful direct result of His attention, passion, and love.

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But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand. (Issiah 64:8)

What is more is He came down in flesh to find us and redeem us from death and the destroyer.

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For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

If we fail to stay rooted in these encouragements, then we will find it difficult or impossible to serve as a source of encouragement for others. May we delight in the Lord, so His goodness pours out from us.