Read through the Bible in 2 years: Hebrews 3

Dear sisters, Hebrews 3:13 tells us to exhort one another every day, as long as it is called today, that none of us would be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. This English word “exhort” is the Greek word “parakaleo,” a verb that literally means to call near or to call to one’s side.

I love this idea of exhortation literally meaning to call near or to call to one’s side. Exhortation is not standing behind you, pushing you forward, commanding you to get going. Rather, exhortation is calling you up to walk with me.

“Come on, sister. Come on, daughter. Come with me.
Walk this journey with me.
Hold my hand. Let’s walk together.
God is with us. He will give us the strength that we need. Jesus has walked this road before and given us an example. We can persevere by His grace and His Spirit at work in us.”

This is your call to persevere.

Sisters, it is easy to drift downstream, but it takes effort to fight against the current. If we want to go upstream, we have to put our paddles in the water and do the work.

But we are not called to row alone. Let’s get in the boat together. When we both put our hands to the oars and pull together side by side, we can go farther and accomplish more than we ever could on our own.

• Who in your life needs some encouragement?
• Who can you parakaleo – call to your side – today?
• In what area of your life is God calling you to persevere?

Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the gift of encouragement we have in Your Holy Spirit. He is our paraclete, our helper and advocate. We are not alone. You are always with us. I pray for each of my sisters who are feeling lonely, who feel like they are rowing all by themselves in the middle of a vast ocean. Lord, help them to remember that You are with them and that there is a vast army of believers surrounding them, rowing alongside them. Please place that lonesome sister into a body of believers who can parakaleo her, who can row with her and encourage her to keep going until the final finish line, until the moment she hears Your voice saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” In the name of Jesus Christ, our advocate, we pray. Amen.