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By Rev Don Rivers
We’re getting down to the end of the season. The dog days of summer are on the wane. Labor Day is on the horizon. Schools are starting to make plans for opening day. Where do you stand looking at the end of another season? Are you in need of some encouraging words? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Have you ever felt horrible after a bad race? After you came into the pits or when you got home, did someone put their arms around you and gave you some words of encouragement? Did it help to brighten your day that someone else showed that they cared? Did it help you move on to next week’s race?
There are many stories about the encouraging words people have shared with others and the difference they can make. Rev. Dan has been by my side since I joined the ministry in 2002 and he has been an encouragement to me. He has been an example of this passage from God’s Word.
Philippians 2:1-2; NLT; Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.
Dan shared this story and had some thoughts I want to share with you about encouragement. As I said he has always been there to lift me up when the road gets long and difficult. I am thankful to have him alongside. Listen as Rev. Dan shares his thoughts.
“I wasn’t around for the Rose Bowl in 1929, but I read about an interesting story about this game. Just before half time, Roy Riegles was playing defense for UCLA against Georgia Tech. One of Georgia Tech’s players fumbled the ball and Roy Riegles picked it up and ran. A good thing right? Well, not for Roy. He was running the wrong way!
Benny Lom, a fellow teammate of Reigles was chasing him while screaming for him to stop and turn around. Roy wouldn’t listen, so Benny tackled him right around the 2 yard line. Two yards just before he was going to score for the other team! UCLA had to punt the ball and it was blocked. Georgia Tech scored a safety and led 2-0 at half-time. Roy Reigles was devastated.
During half-time, UCLA coach Nibs Price told Roy that he was starting the second half. Roy responded “Coach, I can’t do it. I’ve ruined you, I’ve ruined myself, I’ve ruined the University of California. I couldn’t face that crowd to save my life.” Coach Price responded “Roy, get up and go back out there – the game is only half over.”
Coach Price encouraged Roy to hold his head up, get back in there and play. He did, and from the stories I read, Roy had a great second half. His team did not win that day, but if Roy was not encouraged by his coach and other teammates, it probably would have devastated him for the rest of his life.
When we see a racer going through a tough time, take a few moments and give them some encouragement – it’s a God thing and examples of this are in the Bible.
King Hezekiah, a Godly leader of Jerusalem needed to give some words of encouragement to his people. King Sennacherib from Assyria was invading Judah. Hezekiah found out that Jerusalem was next on his hit list. He got together with his officials and military advisors and they decided to stop the flow of water into the city. They figured they could weaken King Sennacherib when he came to destroy the city by cutting off the water supply. Hezekiah then strengthened his defenses by repairing the wall and terraces as well as by building a second wall outside of the first. He then had extra weapons and shields made to protect themselves. He was getting prepared for battle. He then gathered his military officers and encouraged them to fight. These words come from the book of 2 Chronicles 32: 7-8.
2 Chronicles 32 7-8, “Be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side! He may have a great army, but they are just men. We have the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!”
These words greatly encouraged the people. King Sennacherib heard about this speech while attacking another city. He sent some officials with a message for Hezekiah and all the people. He starting making fun of the people of Jerusalem and asked them why they were trusting their king. Assyrian kings have had a history of destroying others and their cities. None of the other gods have helped them before, what makes Jerusalem think that their God can stop him. He tried to make the people of Jerusalem turn against King Hezekiah and God. Insult upon insult was heaped upon God and Hezekiah from King Sennacherib. King Hezekiah had enough – he got together with the prophet Isaiah and they prayed to God. God sent an angel to destroy the Assyrian Army with all of its commanders and officers. Sennacherib returned home in disgrace.
When he went into the temple of his god, some of his own sons killed him with the sword. The Lord had rescued Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem from the Assyrian army and they didn’t even have to fight. It’s a great story, and if you would like, read it for yourself in 2 Chronicles chapter 32. A little bit of encouragement goes a long way – especially if it’s the right kind.
I want to encourage you to encourage others. When you see your teammate down, put your arm around him and pray. Lift them up. You would be surprised how it can change someone’s life. You’d also be surprised at what God can do. Have an awesome week and God bless you!”
Thanks, Dan, for the encouraging words. They remind me of the passage I shared from 2 Kings 6;
2 Kings 6:16-17; NLT; “Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!” Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes and let him see!” The LORD opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.
When someone encourages us, it causes us to change our focus, look at things differently. We see things we could not see before. We see what God has for us, hope. We are here to hold each other up, to support one another, to provide encouraging words. Life is not meant to be lived alone, it is meant to be shared. Lift someone up today!
Run the race in such a way as to win, throw off everything that hinders and focus on Jesus. Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing! God Bless. Remember, that your prayerful support and donations help us continue this ministry. Thank You.
