Daily Encouragementنموونە

Encouragement is a primary purpose of our meeting together. Something is missing from our assemblies if we go away discouraged. All the activities of meeting together - teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, prayer - are literally loaded with encouragement. When things are as they should be, our own encouragement will not be our chief motive in gathering with others. We go to be taught and thus built up in “the hope we profess.” We share with one another in the way of “love and good deeds.”

Neglecting to meet together is a habit to be avoided. The practical cause of discouragement among Christians, then and now, is getting into this habit. Behind the habit are deeper causes, such as lethargy, lukewarmness and a love of the world. Once the habit is formed it can have devastating effects. The merely discouraged may become hardened and turn to backsliding. It is surely significant that solemn warning follows this exhortation in Hebrews.

Living in the light of the Lord’s coming is relevant here. If we thought the Lord might come tomorrow, we would probably go to the meeting tonight!