The Encourager
“Would People Notice if You Were Sad? - Jeff Curtis”
Would People Notice if You Were Sad?
By Jeff Curtis
In Nehemiah 2:1-2, we read; “And it came to about in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of king Artexerxes, that wine was before him, and I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence. So, the king said to me, “Why is your face sad though you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of heart.” Then I was very much afraid.
Nehemiah’s job as “the cupbearer to the king” (Neh. 1:11) required him to hide any negative emotions he might have felt. He had lived up to that requirement until this day, when he displayed his sadness – grief caused by the destruction of the wall of Jerusalem. In the conversation that followed, the king of Persia gave him permission to go to Jerusalem and rebuild its wall.
Apparently, Nehemiah had served the king for years without being “sad in his presence” (Neh.2:1). How often do others see us looking sad?
Of course, nothing is wrong with being sad (or looking sad) when a person has a reason for grief. We ought to be willing to share our sorrows and troubles with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Galatians 6:2 says, “Bear one another’s burdens and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.”
However, if a Christian constantly displays a sad face, something may be wrong with his or her understanding of the gospel of Christ. The message of the New Testament is “rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4). A child of God who is always sad has not recently counted his blessings.
Would people notice if one day you showed up at work or worship service with a sad face? Would that be different from your usual demeanor? Some Christians always look as if they have just lost their best friend. They are like one little old lady who was visited by a singing group. When asked what she wanted the group to sing, she replied, “I don’t care, as long as it’s sad.”
Let’s not be like that. As a rule, let us display joyful expressions. We have great reasons to smile, because God loves us.
Not Ashamed of the Power of the Gospel
by Leland R. Ping
One of the most quoted and powerful verses of Paul’s letter to the saints in Rome is found in Romans 1:16 when the inspired apostle wrote the following: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”
Packed into this short passage are three valuable lessons that apply to us today.
First, there are ZERO reasons to be ashamed of the gospel. But, because we’re humans, we are sometimes prone to “shying” away from it and perhaps wanting to substitute its simple message for a man-made set of ideas. The gospel message of salvation for all men is simple, straightforward, and easy to grasp. But, we as men sometimes complicate its simplicity.
Second, the power of the gospel is the gospel itself. Not you – not me. You may be good at presenting its contents and I may be talented in explaining it all. But the credit belongs to the Lord and His good news. That’s where the power lies – always has and always will be.
Finally, the gospel’s power does not discriminate. We might show partiality as humans and, we sometimes do. But not the good news of the Lord and Savior. It is powerful enough to see through race, gender, cultural differences, and the like. We must remember this fact when we think about teaching someone or inviting them to study or worship. Let’s be aware of the gospel and its great power to save all – and that means ALL – mankind.
