I recently learned of the death of a precious 98-year-old family friend. She left behind a loving legacy of encouragement. Through a card ministry, she mailed comforting words to people with various needs. Her act of writing hope-filled letters will be remembered long after her death.
It may seem old-fashioned in today’s high-speed social media world, but the reality of holding a hand-written card or letter impacts people. I know because I’ve been the recipient of penned hope, strengthened by personal words of encouragement. Realizing the effort involved in writing notes of comfort to troubled souls produces thankfulness. An act of love received with joy.
Jesus’ disciples wrote and sent letters of promise and hope to their followers. Before His ascension, Jesus had commanded them to go and make disciples of all nations. One of the many ways the apostles spread the gospel of Jesus Christ was through writing.
What a joy it must have been to receive a letter from Paul or Peter. Many Jesus followers had become discouraged because of persecution. Some defenders of the faith faced execution. Other believers wrestled with their faith. The early churches yearned for words of truth.
Compositions from Christ’s apostles reached the desired audiences. Their letters contained words of assurance. Offered promises of God. Expressed comfort, truth, and instructions. The God-inspired words strengthened the recipients, filling them with assurance. These missives, found in the Holy Scriptures, continue to transform lives thousands of years later.
Consider your own convictions right now. Are you hopeful or hopeless? Are you searching for answers to life’s struggles? Or are you mindlessly sailing through life, come what may? Pause and give thought to these words of Scripture.
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:3-6 (NASB)
Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. Philippians 2:14-16 (NASB)
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9 (NASB)
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 (NASB)
Can you hear the Lord God speaking? Are you encouraged? These are just a few of the many inspiring words of Scripture. Open the Book. Be comforted by writers who sat down years ago with pen in hand and transcribed words of hope. Receive them as if they were written solely for you. After all, it is Jesus through His servants speaking to you, extending strength and peace.
And then, go and do likewise. Get paper and pen. Encourage someone else who desperately needs to hear comforting words. Both of you will receive the blessings of a loving God.
