Ylva Reynolds Blog

Isaiah 40 vs 31, “… they will SOAR on wings like eagles; they will run and not be weary, they will walk and not faint.”

In order to get a better understanding of what this “soaring” looks like, I would like to have a look at what it’s not! Based on two words from this scripture; ‘weary’ and ‘faint’.

Paul tells us in Galatians 6 vs 9, to not grow ‘weary‘ while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we ‘faint‘ not. This word ‘weary’ in the Greek means; to lose ones courage or become fainthearted, or to despond in view of trial or difficulty, or to be slothful in duty, and the word ‘faint’ here in Greek is to relax!

I know how easy it is sometimes to lose hope when you are facing a trial or some difficulty.  I know how hard it is to be ‘strong’ when in pain or grief. Or to simply lose confidence! But I also know that “Greater is He that is in you!” (1 John 4 vs 4) and that “You CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens you! (Philippians 4 vs 13), and THAT is what the Lord is telling you today!

The picture I get of ‘soaring’, is ‘to run’ with great courage and perseverance IN THE FACE OF your trial or difficulty and to do this, you MUST keep your eye on the mark! (Philippians 3 vs 14)  Yes, keep on going. Do not give up!

And if you aren’t able to run then just keep ‘walking’ which could be the same as saying, “persevere” (which builds character – see Romans 5 vs 3) or “endure like a good soldier” (see 2 Timothy 2 vs 3) and ”hold fast” (see Hebrews 10 vs 23) and be steadfast (see Colossians 2 vs 5).  THIS IS SOARING!

To ‘soar‘ is to ‘maintain height’ above your problems, the issues, circumstances or whatever is hindering you etc. (Hebrews 10 vs 35, “Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.”)

Remember that in order to be ‘soaring’ you first have to be ‘waiting’ (or trusting/resting in the Lord). The Greek verb ‘rest’ means ‘to refresh’ or ‘a recovery of breath’.  Matthew 11 vs 28 “Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest [refresh you, give you new strength and will give you the energy you need!] “

In Hebrew, the word ‘refreshing’ is made up of five Hebrew letters, from which I get the following word-picture: Strength of the Head Authority lifts you up to see revelation, i.e. SOARING!  Amen!  Our strength comes from the Lord because we have trusted/rested in Him, and He lifts us up ABOVE whatever we are facing to SEE (with the eyes of faith/to behold Him/to walk in His wisdom (revelation knowledge))!

So whatever you are doing in your own effort, with your own understanding etc, stop! Perhaps that is why you are ‘weary’ and ready to ‘faint’! Repent! Yes, I said ‘repent’… that times of ‘refreshing’ may come from the presence of the Lord! Acts 3 vs 19.

A time to recover your breath because doing things your own way, seems to ‘sap’ the Life right out of you!

“Be still [cease, to let drop, to let go, settle and...] and know that I am God!”  That you might [find ease, i.e. glide, SOAR]!!!

Isaiah 40:31 “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

To “mount up” means; to ascend, in transition – be high, to arise, to exalt, to increase, to leap, to restore, to stir up, to spring up and to follow.  The connotation is of an upward movement!  God is calling you to ascend! Amen.  (He has a plan and a purpose for your life, and He is continually beckoning you to come ‘higher’).

Let’s first note that it’s those who ‘wait’ on the Lord and are strengthened that are able to ‘mount up’.  (See previous blog)

The Hebrew word for ‘mount up’ is ['alah' – this Hebrew word is made up of three letters, which give the following word picture: Behold-and move forward-into revelation]. Wow! Selah.

Let’s have a look at our scripture again and add this ‘word picture’ to it -

“But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him (Amp)] shall renew their strength; they shall mount up [They shall behold the Lord (His name and all that He is) and they shall move forward into greater revelation (of Him)] with wings like eagles, (and because of this) they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Bold & Italics I have added).

The idea around the meaning of this word “mount up” is also seen in 2 Corinthians 3 vs 18, “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”  To go from ‘glory to glory’ means to go higher or to ‘mount up’!

It’s when we take off the mask (i.e. “with unveiled face”) and stop pretending or hiding who we really are or what we have done and face God, that He is able to work in our lives.  It’s when we look into His eyes of Love that we are able to be transformed because its in ‘that’ place (in humility on our part and grace on His) that He can speak to us and bring revelation to us by the Spirit, so that we can grow from ‘glory to glory’.

Colossians 3 vs 10 say’s that we are to put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge (revelation) according to the image of Him who created him.  This is ‘mounting up’!

In the book of Exodus we see a great figurative meaning of what the word “mount up” implies, and another great word picture.

Exodus 19 vs 4, “You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagle’ wings and brought you to Myself.”

The Hebrew word here for ‘bore’ is made up of three letters, which imply the following – Multiplying-The Name-Of Authority/strength.

Which is exactly what God did!  Within a process of time He brought revelation upon revelation to the Israelites, of who HE is (and was and is to come).  So that they, first of all could be taken out of slavery (and a slave mentality) and into a place of freedom!  He carried them (as it were on eagles wings) and brought them closer to Himself by multiplying HIS NAME (that is by revelation upon revelation)!

This word is a verb meaning; to lift, to carry or to take away.  And if it were ‘as on eagles wings’ then we would have that kind of perspective!  A higher one! Colossians 3 vs 2 says that we are to, “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth,” and Philippians 4 vs 8 say’s that, “Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.”

To “mount up” is to ARISE! Isaiah 60 vs 1.  Your Salvation has come and His glory has risen upon you, so wake up and become attentive to your ‘dangerous’ position i.e. complacency etc, (or whatever situation, circumstance, trial or tribulation you may be in) and become aware of all that He has done for you and take hold of those promises! For He is calling you forth!  Yes, He has called you out of ‘darkness’ and into His marvelous light SO press forward toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 1 Peter 2 vs 9 & Philippians 3 vs 14

To “mount up” is to INCREASE, STRETCH & GROW! For He has called you to increase and abound in love one toward another and to increase in the fruits of righteousness. 1 Thessalonians 3 vs 12 & 2 Corinthians 9 vs 10

To “mount up” is to LEAP OVER! For the Lord your God is your strength and He will make you to ‘leap over’ whatever is placed in your path to hinder you, for “He will make your feet like hinds’ feet, and He will make you to walk up your high hills.” Habakkuk 3 vs 19

To “mount up” is to be STIRRED! So stir up that gift of faith which He has placed within you, for He has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1 vs 6 & 7

To “mount up” is to FOLLOW HIM! John 10 vs 4 & 1 Peter 2 vs 21. For the steps of the righteous man are ordered by Him. Psalm 37 vs 23

He has called you to “mount up” on the wings of His revelation that He has brought to you today, so that you will be changed, delivered, set free etc, and going from glory to glory!

Isaiah 40:31 “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

Let’s all agree right here and now that ‘waiting’ on the Lord is not always easy! In fact, this scripture seems to be a bit of a paradox because our ‘natural’ man understands and is taught that in order to gain strength in anything, you have to practice, which implies exertion of energy not ‘waiting’.

In fact ‘waiting’ on the Lord is not passive, it is active!  This Hebrew word implies: to bind together (by twisting), to expect and to look patiently.

When you think of something being ‘bound together as by twisting’ you naturally think of a rope.  We know that a rope is not one strand but many, bound and twisted together to become one and therefore able to fulfill its purpose to hold, secure, tie etc, effectively.

Our ‘activity’ in waiting on the Lord is to be tied to and bound together etc, to Him through the knowledge of His Word and through our prayers and most importantly by the Holy Spirit that we too may fulfill our purpose in Him.

Just as depicted in the book of Acts concerning the disciples in chapter 1 vs 14; “All of these with their minds in full agreement devoted themselves steadfastly to prayer [waiting together] with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.” (They were as it were ‘bound together’, patient and expectant for the Promise that was to come!).

And concerning the brethren in Philippians 2 vs 2 “by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.”

It is used to signify ‘depending upon’ something and ordering activities around a future event.  Which means that you don’t just sit around and ‘wait’ for Him, you have to order your daily activities around this event!  Let me ask you the question…. Are you ordering YOUR daily activities etc?

You depend upon the fact that the Word of God is true, and based on this belief, you live (actively) according to this revelation.  What changes do you need to make in your life in order for this to be true for you?

I love the ‘word picture’ that I get from the Hebrew word “wait” and that is that if you position yourself to face Him and hook or secure yourself to Him, He will bring great revelation to you.

The first idea is of our ‘positioning’ so that we are ‘face to face’ with Him and the second is that we ‘secure’ ourselves to Him and then we confidently believe that He will give us the revelation needed.  (And He will!)

It is revelation upon revelation that causes us to be strengthened (or renewed) in our inner man.  Hallelujah!

Let me encourage you if you are in that place of ‘waiting’.

Isaiah 49 vs 23 say’s that those who wait on the Lord shall not be ashamed!  Amen!

In your waiting -

• Integrity and uprightness preserve you (Psalm 25 vs 21)
• Courage is built (Psalm 27 vs 14)
• Your heart is strengthened (Psalm 27 vs 14)
• Patience is exercised (Psalm 37 vs 7)
• Hope is built (Psalm 39 vs 7)
• His Word sustains you (Psalm 130 vs 5)
• We inherit the earth (Psalm 37 vs 9)
• You will receive in due season (Psalm 104 vs 27)
• It is through the Spirit that we are able to (Galatians 5 vs 5)
• Praise Him! (Psalm 52 vs 9)

And no matter what you have to go through in your ‘waiting’ (2 Corinthians 4 vs 8 – 10 “being hard pressed on every side, perplexed, persecuted or struck down” DO NOT LOSE HEART for though your outward man might be perishing, your inward man is being renewed (strengthened through the Spirit)!

“..not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this (to bless), that you may inherit a blessing.” 1 Peter 3 vs 9

We are called to speak ‘good’ and ‘well’ of others.  When we do this it is said that we “eulogize” or “bless” one another, i.e. we express good wishes.

“When we bless, as Christ did the loaves and fishes when He miraculously multiplied them (Matthew 14 vs 19), as He did the memorial bread (Matthew 26 vs 26), we consecrate them to divine use.” (Quote: The Complete Word Study New Testament, Zodhiates).

Yet how strange that we only tend to do this (eulogize) when someone is dead at their funeral and not while they are living!  (Make a point of ‘blessing‘ someone today).

In the above scripture, Peter is speaking to the brethren and he tells US (that while we are ALIVE) we are to be of one mind and to have compassion for one another and to love as brothers love, and to be tenderhearted towards one another and courteous; and if someone is evil toward you, do not be evil back and if they revile you, do not revile back! Instead bless (SPEAK WELL OF THEM AND TO THEM) and be a blessing that you may inherit a blessing! (1 Peter 3 vs 8).

We see the principle of sowing and reaping at work here, and if perhaps, you have spoken evil of someone, then repent and ask the Lord to forgive you (1 John 1 vs 9) and purpose in your heart to ‘bless‘ that person/s.

The Hebrew definition of this word “bless” gives us a great word picture of what the above verse looks like in action, as it means ‘to bring a gift to another while kneeling out of respect’.  The extended meaning is to do or give something of value to another. Oh, what humility exhibited! (in light of the fact that you are possibly being reviled).

Your words spoken out (and about) should be a ‘gift’ and something of ‘value’ (Oxford dictionary meaning; to consider to be important or beneficial).

What power in our words when we speak a blessing.  Just as Jesus said in John 6 vs 63, “The words that I speak to you are spirit, AND THEY ARE LIFE.”

James rebukes us questioning how it can be that with our tongue we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.  “This ought not to be so!” James 3 vs 9-10

In the Old Testament ‘to bless’ means; to endue with power for success, prosperity and longevity.

See how they spoke a blessing on Rebekah at her departure (Genesis 24 vs 60), how Laban blessed his sons and daughters (Genesis 31 vs 55), Jacob his sons (Genesis 49), Eli, Elkanah and his wife (1 Samuel 2:20) and Moses the children of Israel (Deuteronomy 33).

“When God is said to bless us, eulogize us, speak well of us, He acts for our good as He sees what we need most and not what we desire (for God’s speaking and His acting are the same thing).”

We see the full Hebraic concept of (this) His blessing in Numbers 6 vs 24-26, “Yahweh will kneel before you presenting gifts and will guard you with a hedge of protection; Yahweh will illuminate the wholeness of His being toward you bringing order and He will beautify you; Yahweh will lift up His wholeness of being and look upon you and He will set in place all you need to be whole and complete.”

(www.ancient-hebrew.org/12_blessing.html)

And above all, remember that we are called to ‘bless’ His name!

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4 vs 8)

How do you draw near [come near to, approach] God? Hebrews 10 vs 22 say’s we must, “Draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”

The Hebrew word ‘draw near’ to God is associated with the word ‘offering’. “It is no ordinary nearness that is represented by [qarab],” writes one authority, “but rather that of the closest and most intimate kind.  Each offering God prescribed was designed to bring His people close to Him.” (Quote: Dr J.D Watson)

In the New Testament the Greek meaning of this word means ‘to make near’ with the emphasis on ‘to make’ and this is where we come in.  Paul wrote in Romans 12 vs 1 that we are to present (as you would a sacrifice or offering in the O.T) our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is our reasonable service.

He goes on to say in vs 2, that we are not to be conformed to this world, but be transformed (this is the ‘to make’ part) by the renewing of our minds..”

We can only do this through Jesus Christ who gave Himself for us, as an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma (Ephesians 5 vs 2, Hebrews 7 vs 19 & 10 vs 12) and because of Christ “we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5 vs 2.

It is because of His Grace that we are able to “draw near”.  James said in chapter 4 vs 6 that God “ gives more grace.”  Which given the context of the passage, more will definitely be required!

We need to draw near to God because we have been drawn away by “the desires for pleasure that war in our members” (James 4 vs 1).

We choose to follow the lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5 vs 16-26) instead of walk according to the leading and guiding of the Spirit (who “years jealously” within us!).

1 John 2 vs 15-17 cautions us not to love the world or the things in the world!  For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life are what entice us away from God!  Do you not know that “friendship with the world is enmity with God?” (James 4 vs 4).

So let us not be one that draws near with our mouth and honors Him with our lips but our heart is far from Him (Isaiah 29 vs 13), for God desires a broken and a contrite heart (Psalm 51 vs 17). A true heart!

He desires that we draw near through His Word (“our bodies washed with pure water”).  “That He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word.” Ephesians 5 vs 26.

He desires that we draw near to Him through our prayers, “having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and in full assurance of faith,” we can come boldly “i.e. draw near” to the throne of grace!  Hebrews 4 vs 16.

Yes, shout for joy or in praise or encouragement or because you are comforted! For the Lord OUR God, “has overcome the world.” John 16 vs 33

He has succeeded in dealing with the world, on our behalf.  He has wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us, by taking it out of the way and nailing it to the cross.  (Colossians 2 vs 14) This is reason enough to shout for joy and to praise Him!

1 Corinthians 15 vs 57, says that we must give thanks to God, who has given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!  We must be steadfast and immovable and always abound in the work of the Lord. Despite the tribulations, despite whatever pressure you are under despite how you are being afflicted.  Despite whatever burden you are carrying, or persecution you are enduring or trouble you are facing, be of good cheer!

In fact, in these times, we should have peace (John 16 vs 33) knowing that we are ‘joined to’ Him.  From this ‘joining’ comes a ‘state of being’ by implication prosperity: quietness, rest, (set at one again).  Do not be deceived by the enemy during times of tribulation etc, who wants you to feel ‘disjointed’ from Christ thus believing that you are on your own in this!

No!  You are in Christ and Christ is in you (John 15 vs 1-8), and “Whatever is born of God overcomes the world [subdues, conquers, prevails and gets the victory].  And this is the victory that has overcome the world.  Our faith.” 1 John 5 vs 4.

“Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” (vs 5)

Our faith is born of God therefore we can overcome [subdue, conquer, prevail against and get the victory over] whatever we have to face in this world.  This is the victory!  Glory, Hallelujah! (It has already been established for us before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1 v 4).  Now we just have to walk in it).

To “be of good cheer” also means to have courage; which comes from daring boldness!  Boldness in knowing who you are in Christ! 1 John 2 vs 14, “Because you are strong and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.”

With this ‘boldness’ comes a ‘confidence’ in Him, “that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” 1 John 5 vs 14

This word ‘confidence’ means; [all out spokenness (frankness, bluntness, assurance and boldness in speech and action).  It implies ‘the speaking all one is thinking’ which is freespokenness as a characteristic of a frank and fearless mind.]

“Therefore since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech.” 2 Corinthians 3 vs 12

SO SHOUT OUT LOUD FOR JOY RIGHT NOW!  PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME AND BE OF GOOD CHEER! “For God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1 vs 7

In the face of great loss and what might have seemed like a daunting task, God instructed Joshua to be courageous!  And God is calling YOU to be courageous concerning whatever you might be facing today!

Don’t let the enemy take the ground that is yours or hinder YOU from entering YOUR promised land!  Just as God instructed Joshua, “go over this Jordan..,” (Joshua 1 vs 2) so too must you be ready to ‘go over’ what is hindering you from walking in the fullness of His promises for your life.  (“Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have give you…” Joshua 1 vs 3).  As God said He would be with Joshua, so He will be with you (vs 5).

SO BE STRONG AND OF GOOD COURAGE!

To be ‘strong’ means to fasten, to be established and to conquer.  So, “Be strong in the Lord [fasten yourself to Him and be established in Him] and in the power of His might [for you are more than a conqueror!].” Ephesians 6 vs 10.

It is the presence of God in your life that forms the foundation of your courage.  He is your source.  ”Abide in Me, and I in you,” “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” John 15 vs 4, 7 When God is ‘present’ in your life, you learn to wait on Him, to trust in Him so that whatever you do, is out of Him.  To be courageous is to have FAITH in God and faith in who you are IN HIM.  Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  Courage is acting on this kind of faith.

It is the promises of God deep in your heart that enable you to keep on.  Like Sarah we too should judge God faithful who has promised, (Hebrews 11 vs 11)  for HE IS FAITHFUL!  ”For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” 2 Corinithians 1 vs 20.  As His divine power has given to us ALL things that pertain to life and godliness.   It is through His exceedingly great and precious promises that we are ABLE to partake of the divine nature.  Courage is His divine nature at work in you!

It is the power of God on your behalf that strengthens you to be courageous.  ”For you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.” Acts 1 vs 8 For God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.  2 Timothy 1 vs 7.

The Oxford dictionary meaning of the word ‘courage‘ refers to it as the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger or pain without fear, i.e. bravery.  With Christ living inside of you, you have ‘the excellence’ of mind and spirit to face anything! “To prosper wherever you go!” Joshua 1 vs 7.  This ‘quality‘ is a result of His divine influence on your heart!  It is the presence, promises and power of God working in your life.  To be courageous is to consciously draw upon the quality of God’s character from within you.

God commanded Joshua to be strong and of good courage, to not be afraid nor to be dismayed (and there would be opportunity to be so!).  He reminded Joshua that He would be with him wherever he went, and God is reminding you today that He is with you too, so be courageous!

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12 vs 2.

Ever heard of the story of the frog that was put into a pot of water?  There is no strange thing about a frog in water, but in this story the pot of water is on the stove, and slowly … little by little… the temperature of the water is adjusted to get higher and higher.  You would think that the frog would jump out, but unfortunately the frog learns to adapt/conform to the temperature and the frog eventually dies in the boiling water!

To conform to the world has two meanings; the first being that one is to comply with rules or standards (which Paul later instructs the saints in Rome to do in Chapter 13 vs 1 – 7), and the second is to be similar in form or type by impl. to behave according to socially acceptable conventions or standards, which I believe we should not do in the sense that the standards of this world are ever changing and not for the good, and to be socially acceptable nowadays means to drink and get drunk etc.

[The Greek meaning of the word 'conform' is to; fashion alike, conform to the same pattern, or to fashion yourselves according to..]

The apostle John instructs us, “Not (to) love the world or the things in the world.  (For) if anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world.  And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2 vs 15 – 17)

Peter said that we should be “Obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance.”

Isn’t it so easy to become like the frog in water and get so caught up in the things of this world (the lust of the flesh and the eyes and the pride of life)? Without realizing that little by little we are losing ourselves to those things that are actually ‘passing away’!

We are called to jump out!  To stand out!  To be different!  To be transformed!  [To make a marked change in the form, nature and appearance of i.e. to undergo a marked change!]  How?

Firstly, we are to take our eyes off the world and the things in the world.  Amen!  Then we are to fix our eyes on our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is our example of how to live our life on earth.  ”Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.  Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.  But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image (that of Jesus Christ) from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3 vs 16 – 18

We are transformed by the renewing of our mind! “Put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4 vs 22 – 24

The more we behold Jesus (as in a mirror) each and every day, [that is His Word and allow the Word of God to change our 'old' thinking into 'new' thinking], then transformation will take place ['old' actions cease and 'new' actions are formed]!  (John 1 vs 14)

Some wonderful things happen as a result of this ‘transformation.’  The most important is that the LOVE of God is manifest in and upon and through you because when you are ‘transformed’ you cannot but ‘BE’ Jesus’ hands and feet, and DO!

And the more the ‘spirit’ of your mind is transformed, the closer you come to knowing what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (for your life).

The Word of God tells us to encourage [Greek: to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation): beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, (give) exhort, pray for] one another daily! The Oxford dictionary meaning of this word is to support, give hope to, inspire, give confidence to and to help the development of one another!

Hebrews 3 vs 13, “but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”

At first glance, you would think that we should be encouraging others so that they are not hardened through the deceitfulness of sin, but it is US who should encourage others so that WE are not hardened through the deceitfulness of sin!  Don’t you see the power of ‘sowing’ and ‘reaping’ at work here?  What a wonderful picture of the body of Christ we get (and what protection), when we see this fully at work, because as you daily read the Word of God and are being built up in your most holy of faith, this in itself, will protect you from the deceitfulness of sin (because you are walking in the light) and as you encourage others (in it), you are sowing into their lives what you want to reap, and that is encouragement into yours!

Further in Hebrews, Paul tells us to consider one another in order to stir up love and good works. In fact, Paul felt so strongly about this that he told the church in Rome that they must pursue [Oxf: follow in order to catch or attack, try to achieve, engage in or continue with] the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another! (14 vs 19)  Yet, we are all so ready to point out the speck in someone’s eye and not worry about the plank in our own! (Matthew 7 vs 3 – 5).

We should take great effort in looking for ways to encourage one another!  (See Ephesians 6 vs 22, Colossians 4 vs 8, 1 Thessalonians 3 vs 2 & 4 vs 18 & 5 vs 11, 2 Timothy 4 vs 2 and Titus 2 vs 6 & 9).

The Hebrew word for ‘encourage‘ is the word ‘chazaq’ meaning; to fasten upon, to seize, to make strong, to make courageous, to strengthen, to cure, to help, to repair, to fortify, to bind, to restrain, to help conquer and to be firm.  So speaking words of encouragement to someone are as if you are building a hedge (with your words) to protect and enable that person, from behind them.  You might wonder why I say, “Behind them,” because in a sense that is what ‘encouraging’ does.  It pushes someone forward from the back, without taking the responsibility away from that person who has to still lead themselves ‘from the front’ when they themselves are able.

We are also to encourage ourselves (through His Word)!  Proverbs 3 vs 18 “She is a tree of life to those who take (same Hebrew word as ‘encourage’) hold of her.” Proverbs 4 vs 13 “Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; keep her, for she is your life.”

Let me encourage you TODAY to know that you can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens you! Psalm 31 vs 24 says, ”Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”

Be encouraged TODAY to know that YOUR God is the “God of all comfort, who comforts (encourages) you in all your tribulation, that you may be able to comfort (encourage) those who are in any trouble with the comfort (encouragement) with which you yourselves are comforted (encouraged) by God.” 2 Corinthians 1 vs 4

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.  For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10 vs 3-5  We are engaged in warfare.  It is not in the flesh, nor as Paul says, is it according to the flesh!  So then what war are we in and why are we warring?

“Where do wars and fights come from among you?  Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?  You lust and do not have.  You murder and covet and cannot obtain.  You fight and war….” James 4 vs 1-2.  Yes, our battle or warring is because of our desires for pleasure, which takes place within us, but is also manifest outwardly ‘as amongst us’.

For with the flesh we serve the law of sin but with the mind we serve the law of God (Romans 7 vs 25).  Prior to this conclusion, Paul explained in vs 23 that He saw another law in his members, warring against the law of his mind, which brought him into captivity to the law of sin which was in his members!  This war within us is between our flesh and the spirit of God in us.  The Greek meaning of the word ‘warring’ is to attack, that is by implication to destroy!  The fight is on!  The flesh seeks victory (to destroy) the works of the spirit within you!

Paul said in his second letter to Timothy in chapter 2 vs 3-4, regarding this war within us (because of our desires for pleasure and often times with this the association of an ‘easy life’), that we are to endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, for no one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

The first weapon mentioned in the Bible was the sword in Genesis 3 vs 24, “… and a flaming sword which turned every way to guard the way of the the tree of life.” Paul spoke of the “sword of the Spirit which is the word of God” in Ephesians 6 vs 17 as part of our weaponry to defeat the enemy!  You have a weapon in your hand which is the word of God and if you use it at every ‘turn’, I believe it will ‘guard the way of the tree of life’ for you!  Paul said that if you present your members as weapons of righteousness to God then sin will not have dominion over you.  Hallelujah!

We have another weapon and that is of ‘light’ (Romans 13 vs 12, “Let us put on the armour [weapon] of light.”)  I love this imagery!  This armour is worn to protect us in battle and enables us to cast off the works of darkness.  What is this light? It is Jesus Christ!  He came into the world yet men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.  But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God (John 3 vs 19-21).

John 1 vs 4 & 5, “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.  And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”

Paul commended himself as a minister of God in many things and “…by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour [weapon] of righteousness on the right hand and on the left.” (2 Corinthians 6 vs 7).  Again, I get such wonderful imagery from this Scripture because we are ‘soldiers’ for Christ yielding the sword which is the word of truth and our ‘righteousness’ by the power of God within us, to the right and to the left – like a flaming sword which turned every way!

Our weapons (as mentioned above) are not carnal but MIGHTY IN GOD! “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” Ephesians 6 vs 10. When we have put on the whole armour/weaponry of God (Ephesians 6 vs 11-18) and use them then we are able to stand against the wiles of the devil!  We are able to attack, war against and destroy the principalities, the powers, the rulers of the darkness of this age and the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

We are able to pull down strongholds; cast down arguments; cast down every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ!  Glory to God!

They are weapons of mass destruction!