Glorify the Lord with me:

    let us exalt his name together.

More than once we’ve seen it or heard about it: someone running a marathon – or a similar long distance – deliberately slows down as they near the finish line, in order to put an arm around another obviously struggling runner, who would never make it over the line without such physical and moral support. The ‘good samaritan’ has sacrificed possibly their target time, and their position in the race. But helping someone in need matters more.

The New Testament calls the church – the people of God – to a ministry of ‘one-anothering.’ There are so many different things we are exhorted to do for “one another.” Keep an eye out for them as you read your Bible. We need each other. The ministry of mutual encouragement is so important. None of us will be able to make it across the finish line on our own.

In some of our hymns we do the same as David here: we encourage our brothers and sisters to worship God and walk with Him. Don’t underestimate the power of words (for good or ill), and the positive influence you can have on someone else. As we see people straggling, let’s not think it’s another’s job to get alongside them (or that someone else will probably do it). I am my brother’s keeper!

‘A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle’ (Italian proverb)

PRAYER: Lord, show me someone I can encourage today.