Gentle Reader,
First, apologies to my writing buddies. I have neglected to interact with your comments and visit your sites for the last two weeks. Life just gets in the way sometimes.
Second, we are slowly but surely sliding into Autumn. I can hardly contain my glee. Cooler temperatures, overcast skies, sweaters, boots, warm socks. I love it all.
Not chat party for me tonight. I put off exercising until late in the day due to yet another smoke invasion. (How I hope and pray that these fires die down soon). While the gang was tapping at the keys, I was yelling at my television, telling the lady leading the program that she’s a sadist and that no, I would not do another set of push-ups.
Kate asks us to: support.
Go.
Antéchomai: to hold before or against, hold back, withstand, endure; to keep one’s self directly opposite to any one, hold to him firmly, cleave to, paying heed to him
Remember, the New Testament wasn’t written in English, not even that of King James I of England (VI of Scotland; it’s complicated). It can be helpful to study the original language – Greek – in order to gain a deeper understanding of the text. One needn’t be a scholar; being able to read or pronounce the words in the ancient tongue is definite bonus points territory, but all that is required is access to the internet, the ability to use a search engine and a desire to learn.
So, an-tekh’-om-ahee.
We find this word in 1 Thessalonians 5:14,
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.
– NKJV
Uphold the weak.
What does that look like? What does it mean to support the weak? And why is this a command given to us?
Maybe it has something to do with these verses, quoted in this space before, quoted so often in Christian culture,
Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
– NKJV
Jesus is our example. Through the process of sanctification, the Holy Spirit makes us more like Him. As our Lord was humble, patient, kind, loving, all the things we think of as good, so, by grace, must we be. It’s a “go and do likewise” thing. We throw ourselves onto His lap and beg Him to carry us when we just can’t take another step. So we, receiving strength and grace from the Source of life itself, are then able to support our brothers and sisters who can’t take another step. We help them come to the feast table, the mercy seat. Then, when we ourselves are weak, our brothers and sisters help us. On and on it goes.
Sometimes this looks like dropping off a warm meal. Sometimes it’s listening while resisting the temptation to offer advice. Scrubbing floors, rubbing backs, babysitting, discussing Scripture, praying together, weeping with those who weep.
For we are all weak, are we not? In our frailty and the incompleteness of our sanctification, strength lasts but a short while. We are constantly, consistently having to return to the Lord, crying out for Him to breathe life into us once more.
It is our privilege to help each other do so.
Stop.
Amen! We were thinking along very similar lines today. I’m in the 6 spot this week.
LikeLike
Great minds, you know. 🙂
LikeLike
Marie, such good words here today. Yes, we all have the privilege of supporting each other as we work out our salvation, as we live out each day. We all have weaknesses and a need for others to come alongside us. Beautiful words!
LikeLike
“…the privilege of supporting each other as we work out our salvation.”
That’s a good word. We’re all at different points along the road of faith. It’s easy to get frustrated with someone who should be farther along. But who knows what he might be wrestling with? Why he’s made the choice to stay where he is? Patience and love are necessary. Thank for this reminder today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this, but that darn word has too many syllables for a guy whose nickname is Mongo.
Uphold the weak? To me it means “lay one hand on these folks and you’ll meet God faster than you thought possible.”
I’m not too good at comforting and consoling. I do better at protecting. A LOT better.
LikeLike
That’s why I love the StudyLight website. Tells you how to pronounce all those big words. 🙂
We need protectors like you. That role is just as important as that of the comforter.
LikeLike
Amen! I struggle with ‘listening without offering advice.’ Thank you for the reminder that we support because God supports us–I’m ready to go and do likewise!
LikeLike
You and me both, sister! So often I find myself thinking (and wanting to say), “If you would just do ____, you’d be fine.” But people don’t always need us to fix things.
LikeLike
Yes, we’re all weak at times and we need to support one another. I loved your point that we need to receive strength and grace from God before we are able to offer it to others.
LikeLike
I need to remember to spend time before the Lord and allow Him to fill me before I try to pour out into others. I often get that wrong and try to operate in my own strength.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a beautiful way of looking at supporting the weak. In your post I hear a reminder that we do so with compassion and in a spirit of humility, aware that at some time in the future we will need similar assistance.
Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
“…aware that some time in the future we will need similar assistance.”
Yes, indeed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Marie, Thank you for your view of support and for your exhortation to dig deeper into God’s word.
Eyes on Jesus… you’re shining!
LikeLike
Thanks, Lisa!
LikeLike
“So we, receiving strength and grace from the Source of life itself, are then able to support our brothers and sisters who can’t take another step.” You beautifully remind me that every good gift I can offer comes from Him and He designed me to be a conduit, not a tightly bolted storehouse. Blessings, Marie.
LikeLike
Amen, Esther. Amen.
LikeLike
Sometimes the best support comes from the humblest of people. We all need support and we all should give support, to the glory of God.
I’m at spot #53 in FMF.
God bless!
LikeLike