How good is a timely word!

Don't you love it when someone has a directive, inspiring, and encouraging word for you? It can be a prophetic word, scripture, or what the Bible calls an exhortation.

Proverbs 15:23 says: A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word!

How good is a timely word indeed. An exhortation is an address or communication emphatically urging someone to do something. We often find them in the Bible, especially in the letters that the apostle Paul wrote.

Our world today

Well, I don't know about you, but with everything that is going on in our world today, I need uplifting words more than ever. I hope that I may encourage you today with a timely word as found in 1 Corinthians 16:13-14: Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.

Let's make it practical

The words are short and to the point, a staccato cadence of advice. I love it. Let's take a closer look and make those words even more practical.

• Be on guard (some translations say: be alert!)
  In other words: Don’t be distracted! For the devil goes around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
• Stand firm in the faith
  In other words: Don’t doubt/waver! For when we doubt, we are like a wave at sea, unable to receive anything we pray for.
• Be courageous (some translations say: be brave!)
  In other words: Don’t be fearful! Because we have not received a spirit of fear/doubt, but of love and a sound mind.
• Be strong
  In other words: Don’t bow to Satan! We are called to be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
• Do everything with love
  In other words: Don’t complain/murmur! Do everything as unto the Lord.

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The Lord God has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. 

[Isaiah 50:4]

➤For more on this, read my post: A committed life (or, how to live in this evil world)