Encouragement. Everyone benefits from it. Encouragement opens the portals of possibility. Kindles hope. Inspires potential. Boosts confidence. Unleashes undiscovered talents. Emboldens persistence.

The Bible is filled with encouraging words. As the book of Joshua opens, the Israelites’ leader for forty years, Moses, has just died. As Joshua their newly appointed leader prepares to lead the Israelites into the promised land filled with hostile Canaanites, God gave him these encouraging words:  

Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law that my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you might be successful where ever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not command you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord you God will be with 
you were ever you go.

Whenever you need encouragement, remember that the word of God inspires strength and courage.