We all can achieve more in life if we receive the necessary encouragement. Sometimes, encouragement is necessary at the beginning of a pursuit or career. Joshua needed encouragement at the beginning of his leadership career. “Joshua the son of Nun, who stands before you, he shall go in there. Encourage him, for he shall cause Israel to inherit it.” Deuteronomy‬ 1‬:38‬ NKJV‬‬. The charge to encourage Joshua was repeated two chapters later. “But command Joshua, and encourage him and strengthen him; for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which you will see.’” Deuteronomy‬ 3‬:28‬ NKJV‬‬

…encouragement is most needed when one has taken a beating in any venture…The need for encouragement is universal…Receive it when necessary and give it to those who need it around you.

At some other time, encouragement is needed when one is at the verge of a breakthrough. What encouragement does at such moments is to supply the momentum to keep at it. Other times, it is at the peak of achievement that encouragement is necessary. We all know how easy it is to slip back to complacency after a victory. When not sustained, a victory becomes the seed of future failure. Of course, encouragement is most needed when one has taken a beating in any venture. It was in this context that our text is relevant. Joab had just suffered some casualties in battle. While Uriah was the target, some men died along with him. David had to send the messenger to Joab to “encourage him”. The need for encouragement is universal. Paul spoke of giving and receiving. I think this applies to encouragement. Receive it when necessary and give it to those who need it around you.