Proverbs 18:21, NIV
“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
An encouraging word can make all the difference in a person’s life. People are thirsty for words of encouragement, and, as water in a dry parched land, so is a word of encouragement to those bowed down with the cares of this world. A smile and friendly word can drive back the clouds of depression. There are those who wander aimlessly around busy city centres, simply because they’re lonely and need to connect with people who can offer them a kind and friendly word.
I was listening to a testimony recently of a young man who, as a child, had never been encouraged, and who felt excluded from others in his peer group. One day, a church leader simply said “Hello, it’s good to see you again”, and continued to greet him with kind and encouraging words whenever he came. It was years later that the man revealed to the pastor that he came time and again just to hear those words, for they ministered hope to his young life. Today he is living for Jesus, and enjoying walking in the purposes of God.
Jesus, the source of life itself, made time to go and sit with the lonely woman at the well. His timing is perfect – He knew she would be there. It has often been said that she would probably have been drawing water in the heat of the day, because she knew she was despised, not only as a Samaritan woman, but also because of her lifestyle. But Jesus didn’t despise her. He didn’t just make time for the crowds, He made time for the individual.
Prayer: Search me, O God, examine my heart, test my motives, show me my sins and help me to know the things I can’t see for myself, so that I might change and be led by You in the way everlasting. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
