When I went through an extended period of emotional and spiritual pain and struggle due to difficult circumstances in my life, it would have been easy for me to withdraw from church. (And sometimes I did wonder, Why bother?). But I felt compelled to keep attending each Sunday.
Although my situation remained the same for many long years, worshipping and gathering with other believers in services, prayer meetings and Bible study supplied the encouragement I needed to persevere and remain hopeful. And often I’d not only hear an uplifting message or teaching, but I’d receive comfort, a listening ear or a hug I needed from others.
The author of Hebrews wrote, “[Don’t give] up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but [encourage] one another” (Hebrews 10:25). This author knew that when we face hardships and difficulties, we’ll need the reassurance of others—and that others would need ours. So this Scripture writer reminded readers to “hold unswervingly to the hope we profess” and to consider how to “spur one another on towards love and good deeds” (vv. 23-24). That’s a big part of what encouragement is. That’s why God leads us to keep meeting together. Someone may need your loving encouragement, and you may be surprised by what you receive in return.
By Alyson Kieda
REFLECT & PRAY
When have you felt encouraged after leaving a worship service? Why? Who needs your support and reassurance?
Loving God, help me not to give up meeting together with other believers, but to experience together Your peace and love.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The author of the letter to the Hebrews is anonymous. Authorship theories over the years have ranged from Paul to Apollos to Luke and to others. What we do know about this important letter is that it was written to Jewish believers in Jesus who were experiencing persecution. The writer seems to be addressing a kind of spiritual fatigue that had these readers contemplating abandoning the faith. It’s in that context that the teaching of Hebrews 10 is best understood. As a faith community, they needed each other and the strength and support uniquely found in the body of Christ. More than just a wagging finger to admonish them to attend church, it was a strong encouragement that together they were stronger.
Bill Crowder
Our mission is to make the life-changing wisdom of the Bible understandable and accessible to all.
