After the historical events of yesterday, we need today’s celebration. Unfortunately, this day wasn’t established until 2007 thanks to the efforts of The Encouragement Foundation at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, then Mayor Belinda LaForce of Searcy, Arkansas, who made the first proclamation for a Day of Encouragement on August 22, 2007, and then Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe who signed a proclamation making September 12, 2007, the “State Day of Encouragement” for Arkansas. Finally, President George W. Bush signed a bill making September 12th the official National Day of Encouragement.1
For some, being an encourager is just a part of your DNA. You can’t help but spread sunshine wherever you go. Others, though, either need the encouragement or have to work at giving it. Pastor and author, Ray Ortland, writes, “My friend Murray Harris, the New Testament scholar, said to me once, “Encouragement is one of the most important ministries in the church of the New Testament.” Our biblical authenticity is at stake here — whether we are overflowingly encouraging to one another.
“Encouragement is what the gospel feels like as it moves from one believer to another. The ministry of encouragement, therefore, isn’t optional or just for people with a knack for it. Real encouragement has authority over us all. It deserves nothing less than to set the predominant tone of our churches, our homes, our ministries.”2
That sure puts a heavy emphasis on our need to encourage one another!
Now, let me quickly point out that encouragement is not fluff. It is not Hallmark card clichés. It’s not glib or cutsie. And it’s not pretentious. Encouragement has Biblical substance according to Romans 15:4. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort (encouragement) of the scriptures might have hope.” Biblical encouragement is Biblical. We don’t have to figure out what to say or how to do it. With lift our message and methods right from the pages of Scripture and apply it liberally to those in need.
Paul was looking for some encouragement. He wasn’t looking for someone to say, “Great job, Paul!” He wasn’t looking for a pat on the back or kind words of affirmation. Romans 1:11-12 says, “For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; (12) That is, that I may be comforted (encouraged) together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.”
John found encouragement in this point. He wrote in 3 John 1:3-4, “For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. (4) I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”
Our world is discouraging. Anyone who says it’s not needs their sanity checked. The news is negative. Our culture is in crisis. Values are vanishing. Morality has been muddied. And the church is compromised. I’m discouraged!!! But I am encouraged by other believers with whom I share “mutual faith,” desires, vision, standards, and beliefs. I am encouraged to know that we don’t stand alone.
Remember how discouraged Elijah became when he decried in 1 Kings 19:10, “… I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” God encouraged Elijah by telling him that there were 7,000 prophets of God left “in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.” (1 Kings 19:18)
So, what is needed for you and me to be an encourager? Scripture. Common saving 
faith lived out for the Lord. And a willingness to put ourselves out there to be that encourager. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 gives us that encouragement to be an encourager. “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; (4) Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”
1https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/national-day-of-encouragement-september-12
2https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-surprising-ministry-of-encouragement
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