Lift Up Those Who Are Feeling Down
ICS Daily Devotions

Luke 5:17b, 22-23 (NKJV) who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them…But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’?

There is tremendous power in our words, especially words of encouragement that will lift people up emotionally.

Jesus was expected to minister to everyone who came out to Him. Some might have been curious only while others were sceptical about Jesus and His ministry. The scribes and Pharisees were out to reason, question, and judge Jesus rather than seek Him out to heal their sicknesses and pain, whereas the paralysed man and his four friends were full of faith and expectation for him to be healed.

Jesus is a great example of someone who shows grace and love in ministry. He was moved by love and compassion for the paralysed man. While we may not know many paralytics, we all know people who are down and oppressed, and it requires much patience, love, and grace to journey with them. Jesus forgave the paralytic, even though He knew he was a sinner. To restore his health, Jesus spoke grace and mercy to his life. Instead of dwelling on the sin he committed, Jesus chose forgiveness. Sadly, many people like to amplify the sins of others to condemn them rather than to bring restoration to them. Have we forgotten that we should hate the sin but love the sinners?

Acts 4:36 (NKJV) And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated as Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus,

The name Barnabas means “son of encouragement”. Every one of us needs one or two “Barnabas” in our lives because we are surrounded by too many discouragers, naysayers, and even those who are delighted to see us discouraged. We, as believers, must also be known as encouragers.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NKJV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

God is merciful and comforts us in all our tribulations. The source of tribulation is not God because He is the God who comforts us in times of tribulation. He comforts us with His Word and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We can comfort others when we are comforted by the Lord, even when we may not have had similar experiences. We can always use the promises in the Bible that the Holy Spirit has brought into our remembrance to encourage those who are down.

Sermon Series: Up! Cell Group Campaign