Words of Exhortation
Press the play button to watch the video above or press 'more' to read the transcript of the daily devotion below. Please read Acts 11:19-30(use your own Bible or use the link above to access the in-App Bible).
It must have been quite remarkable to have been a member of the church in Jerusalem and hear that, despite the very real threat of persecution, their members who ‘had been scattered’ had been preaching the good news about the Lord Jesus and the church was growing. I imagine them being overwhelmed by a wave of emotion and deep sense of joy that only the Holy Spirit can bestow. The news is spreading, and the numbers are growing. How can they make sure that it continues and faith is sustained? They decide to send Barnabas.
Why Barnabas? Because as it states clearly in v. 24 ‘he was a good man’ and not only that, he was full of the Holy Spirit and had the gift of exhortation. People with this gift are often referred to as ‘encouragers’. They are people who inspire perseverance, support, motivate, and strengthen faith. Exactly what the church in Antioch needed. Barnabas was glad when he met the people in Antioch and he, ‘exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose’. By using the word exhort Luke is telling us that Barnabas didn’t just say a kindly ‘well done, don’t give up’, Barnabas was strongly urging them to remain true to the Lord. His words were more than kind encouragement they were a call to action.
Stay steadfast and true, keep moving forward and grow in your faith. Barnabas knew that what was needed to ensure continuation of growth and sustainability of faith was an intentional increase in knowledge and understanding of the source of that faith. He goes and collects Saul (Paul) and together they spend a year teaching and exhorting the people of this new church.
Reflect for a while on the actions of Barnabas and think about the ways in which you could exhort those around you in aspects of their Christian life. Perhaps there are people you know who need to hear words that gently, yet strongly, urge them to steadfastly remain true to the Lord despite the daily challenges of life.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, please give me the right words of exhortation to say to (insert a name here), so that their faith in You may grow stronger. Amen