The end of the year, November in particular, appears to be a month of drudgery for many: the press of work deadlines, Christmas preparations and events, and the sense of urgency to complete tasks before holidays settle are more pressing issues. This November in particular I’ve realised how deeply my soul craves encouragement and rest amidst the bustle.
This November, too, I sense desires of the ‘western’ world: Many seek validation (a form of encouragement?!), love and a sense of worth amidst all the Christmas preparations. Perhaps the slue of events taking place have left you feeling forgotten or alone; perhaps you face the angst of wondering if 2025 will hold good things in store; maybe the financial burden of housing or food weighs upon you. There is power of a word of encouragement. We need hope in our hearts, and we can’t just magically snap our fingers and ‘voila’ we are presented with radiant, joyous hope. We needto seek God. His Word is a Light to our feet and a lamp to our paths.
Pouring my heart out to the Lord last night, I was writing poetry and waiting on Him. A word that kept coming to mind was ‘forgotten’, and that many individuals today face feelings of loneliness of feeling forgotten by friends or maybe even by family.
Whenever I dwell on the Lord, I am pinned with certainty I am never forgotten and always forgiven and loved by Him. Before we delve into Scriptures I’ve felt led to share, this is a poem the Lord pressed on my heart (not quite scripture for encouragement but rather a word of encouragement!)
Do we glean from empty cisterns,
broken at our own accord – solidly forgotten
by what is true and beautiful;
by God – are we forgotten?
We know we are not;
Heavenly Father never forgets.
Help us Father; plead our cause,
Redeem what has been lost.
Forgive our sins and
Heal our land.
Make us new again.
You are not forgotten; your soul matters to the Lord and His desire is to refresh and equip you. Plead with Him that He may forgive your sin and heal our land. Turn to Him and to no one else; only He will satisfy.
Scriptures for Encouragement and Joy
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Seeking God’s guidance and direction)
Phillipians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Finding peace and strength in prayer)
Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Proverbs 17:22 A joyful heart is good medicine but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Isaiah 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.
Ephesians 3:20 God can do much more than we ask or imagine
Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in trials and faithful in prayer
1 Peter 5:10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
Pin these scriptures of encouragement, or save and put as wallpaper for you phone!
In your season of plenty or season of lack, come to Him, and drink of wells of living water, meditate on these verses and pin them on your mirror. Let’s complete this year with ‘hallelujah, praise Him who is faithful’.
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