Jesus comes to encourage us. This gives insight into how much He loves us and knows what is happening in our lives. Has there been a time in your life when you were discouraged, and the Lord prompted you to pray or turn to His word? Have you noticed that the spiritual atmosphere changed when you did?
I have observed over the years that when I do my devotion in the morning, it changes me like taking medication for an ailment. Romans 12:2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. [1] God’s word is so powerful that it encourages, transforms, and lifts us out of the doldrums of life.
The Disciples Needed Encouragement
The disciples were going through a time of transition after Jesus’ death and resurrection. They were overjoyed that Jesus rose from the dead but did not understand where they would go next. Jesus had called them to follow Him, but now everything had changed.
During this time, Peter gathered several disciples to go fishing with Him. During this time of fishing Lord intervened and came to the disciples. There are times when the Lord prompts us to pray or to be in His word, and other times He breaks into our lives to encourage us. If you had been a disciple fishing, how encouraging would it have been to see Jesus?
John 21:3 Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” “We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night. 4 At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. 5 He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?” “No,” they replied. 6 Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it. [2]
Jesus is the Great Encourager
With all that is happening worldwide, many people are discouraged about the future. Although this may be our circumstance, something happens when I look up to God. Philippians 4:8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.[3]
When I change my focus to the Lord, my outlook looks different. Our enemy satan wants us to focus on ourselves and the problems around us to bring us down, but our Savior always wants to look to Him. When we look to the Lord, He gives us hope and peace no matter the situation.
To learn how Jesus comes to encourage us, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/follow-restoration
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.