Encouraged
God’s Promises Never Fail
SCRIPTURE:
Acts 23:11 NLT - "Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well."
OBSERVATION:
A quick search for the word “encouragement” reminds us of its definition. Encouragement is offering someone confidence, hope, or support through words or actions.
If you break the word down to its root, you find the word courage. Courage is the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, or fear with bravery.
Both “encouragement” and “courage” were exactly what Paul needed at that moment. Upon returning to Jerusalem, Paul was arrested and falsely accused of bringing Greeks into the temple. As he stood before the Roman and Jewish authorities, the crowds tried to kill him. After revealing his Roman citizenship, he was taken into custody, and a formal trial was scheduled.
Acts 23 recounts what happened at this trial. The Jewish council was divided when Paul mentioned the resurrection from the dead. The debate grew so intense that the Roman Commander removed Paul and put him in jail. While there, the Lord appeared to Paul and encouraged him.
Acts 23:11 NLT - "Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well."
The Lord knows when we need encouragement most. Even though the Lord told Paul he would testify of Him in Rome, Paul still needed a reminder that the Lord was with him and that he should not fear.
As we learn later in this chapter, a group of forty men vowed not to eat until Paul was killed. The plan was to ask the Roman Commander to bring Paul back to the Jewish council for further questioning, but the goal was to kill him along the way.
God had different plans! He provided encouragement through Paul’s nephew (vs 16), who heard about the vow to kill Paul. When the Roman Commander learned of the vow, he ordered that Paul be sent to the Governor Felix in Caesarea.
God not only encouraged Paul but also gave him the courage to face the trials he faced. Along with the encouragement, He clearly showed Paul that His promises never fail.
Acts 23:23-24 NLT - Then the commander called two of his officers and ordered, "Get 200 soldiers ready to leave for Caesarea at nine o'clock tonight. Also, take 200 spearmen and 70 mounted troops. Provide horses for Paul to ride, and get him safely to Governor Felix."
APPLICATION:
What trials are you facing today? Does it feel like everyone and everything is against you? Take courage and be encouraged that the Lord is with you. He will see you through. That is a promise.
Joshua 1:9 NKJV - "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
Your trial may be self-inflicted, stemming from your own foolishness or disobedience. Repent and turn to God for wisdom and strength to do what is right the right way. In doing so, you'll also experience the same encouragement Paul did.
It may be that you are facing a trial that is not your fault but permitted by God to strengthen your faith in Him. Stay courageous and keep going; the Lord is with you. He will grant you the strength to persevere.
In either case, we can be encouragers to those going through trials, even when we face them ourselves. Instead of dwelling on our circumstances, lift others up. Encouragement is contagious and positively influences our attitude. When was the last time you encouraged someone going through it? Sometimes all we need to say is:
All of this with the promise and reminder that Jesus loves you!
Look for those you can encourage today. As we motivate them to keep walking with Jesus or to share the Good News (for those who don’t know it), we will discover that what we face isn’t as burdensome as we thought.
PRAYER:
Jesus, may I be a source of encouragement to someone today. Help me shift my focus from myself to others, and give me what You provide each day—Your words of encouragement found in Your Word. As You encourage me, may I also encourage others—even in the midst of our trials, mine and theirs.
Acts 23:11 NLT - "Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well."
OBSERVATION:
A quick search for the word “encouragement” reminds us of its definition. Encouragement is offering someone confidence, hope, or support through words or actions.
If you break the word down to its root, you find the word courage. Courage is the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, or fear with bravery.
Both “encouragement” and “courage” were exactly what Paul needed at that moment. Upon returning to Jerusalem, Paul was arrested and falsely accused of bringing Greeks into the temple. As he stood before the Roman and Jewish authorities, the crowds tried to kill him. After revealing his Roman citizenship, he was taken into custody, and a formal trial was scheduled.
Acts 23 recounts what happened at this trial. The Jewish council was divided when Paul mentioned the resurrection from the dead. The debate grew so intense that the Roman Commander removed Paul and put him in jail. While there, the Lord appeared to Paul and encouraged him.
Acts 23:11 NLT - "Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well."
The Lord knows when we need encouragement most. Even though the Lord told Paul he would testify of Him in Rome, Paul still needed a reminder that the Lord was with him and that he should not fear.
As we learn later in this chapter, a group of forty men vowed not to eat until Paul was killed. The plan was to ask the Roman Commander to bring Paul back to the Jewish council for further questioning, but the goal was to kill him along the way.
God had different plans! He provided encouragement through Paul’s nephew (vs 16), who heard about the vow to kill Paul. When the Roman Commander learned of the vow, he ordered that Paul be sent to the Governor Felix in Caesarea.
God not only encouraged Paul but also gave him the courage to face the trials he faced. Along with the encouragement, He clearly showed Paul that His promises never fail.
Acts 23:23-24 NLT - Then the commander called two of his officers and ordered, "Get 200 soldiers ready to leave for Caesarea at nine o'clock tonight. Also, take 200 spearmen and 70 mounted troops. Provide horses for Paul to ride, and get him safely to Governor Felix."
APPLICATION:
What trials are you facing today? Does it feel like everyone and everything is against you? Take courage and be encouraged that the Lord is with you. He will see you through. That is a promise.
Joshua 1:9 NKJV - "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
Your trial may be self-inflicted, stemming from your own foolishness or disobedience. Repent and turn to God for wisdom and strength to do what is right the right way. In doing so, you'll also experience the same encouragement Paul did.
It may be that you are facing a trial that is not your fault but permitted by God to strengthen your faith in Him. Stay courageous and keep going; the Lord is with you. He will grant you the strength to persevere.
In either case, we can be encouragers to those going through trials, even when we face them ourselves. Instead of dwelling on our circumstances, lift others up. Encouragement is contagious and positively influences our attitude. When was the last time you encouraged someone going through it? Sometimes all we need to say is:
- "You've got this."
- "Keep going."
- "Don't give up."
- "You're doing great."
- "Hang in there."
All of this with the promise and reminder that Jesus loves you!
Look for those you can encourage today. As we motivate them to keep walking with Jesus or to share the Good News (for those who don’t know it), we will discover that what we face isn’t as burdensome as we thought.
PRAYER:
Jesus, may I be a source of encouragement to someone today. Help me shift my focus from myself to others, and give me what You provide each day—Your words of encouragement found in Your Word. As You encourage me, may I also encourage others—even in the midst of our trials, mine and theirs.
“Don’t give up," Jesus said, "I am with you."
Posted in 06 - Acts
Recent
Archive
2026
January
Words Spoken at the Right TimeHe Will SaveShining as the StarSOAPRepentance: It’s a Good ThingDawning of a New LifePerfect Not PerfectionThe Cure for AnxietyThe Way We Think About and Treat OthersRight AwayTax Collectors and SinnersChoosing Christ Above AllThe Yoke of LearningHope In His NameWhere Did He Learn ThisImmediatelyFrom the HeartOn This RockMustard Seed FaithTrue HumilityMission ImpossibleMoved with Compassion
February
Change Your MindInvitationDrop the MaskGood News ProclaimedDid or Did NotYour Accent Gives You AwayEli, Eli, Lama SabachthaniThe EndIf You Are WillingSins Are ForgivenCrazy!Silence! Be Still!Saw and Heard – Jesus Something BlessedEphphathaRight PerspectiveSalt and PeaceServe Not ServedRemoving DifficultiesAbundance vs Poverty
March
Never FailAnointing, Betrayal, and DenialCarry Jesus’s CrossRolling StonesGod Will Never FailSalvation In Three StoriesSlaves and SandalsThe Lord's Favor Has ComeCalling All SinnersActing As ChildrenDo You See This WomanPreaching and Announcing the Good NewsWhen We Can’tGo and Do the SameHow You Should PraySet on FireOne More ChanceTake the Lowest PlaceNotoriously Lost, But Now FoundHow Great a ChasmFaith to ForgivePray and Never Give Up
April
The Way to PeaceCornerstoneGiven EverythingThat’s Enough EntitledEarly on a Sunday MorningFull of Grace and TruthDo Whatever He Tells YouJoy CompleteBelieve What Jesus SaidWhen Traditions Get In The WayBelieve and KnowKnow the WordDisciples – Know the Word, Truth, and FreedomI’m The OneEternal Life & Eternal SecurityLoose Him, and Let Him GoLifted UpLast WordsBelieveChristlike LoveSorrow To Joy