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“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”
(Hebrews 3:13 NIV11)

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you read these words from the author of Hebrews?
I am not very keen on taking a verse like this without its context, yet this is precisely what I am doing here!! I want this verse to speak to you about its truth and what it may mean for us.

As far as I can see, there are two ways to live:
One is dominated by sin, where our hearts, as Paul says, become hardened. In that place, it is challenging to be encouraged and almost impossible to become an encourager. Choosing a life of sin is turning willingly from the love of God and his promises; therefore, it is much harder to receive love, forgiveness, compassion and mercy. That is what most Christians that choose this way are tough to deal with. Jesus had a hard time with the religious leaders of his time. He challenged them, and they did not like it.

The other way is to live a life in which we are encouraged daily and encourage others daily. Can this be achieved?
Yes, it can. How? This is where spiritual disciplines are important and relevant. You can only be encouraged if you hear the champion and chief of Encouragement, the Holy Spirit, on a daily basis. We do that by spending time with him in prayer, reading and meditating the Scriptures, and doing what he wants us to do. We need this.
Joshua, before he stepped into leading the people of Israel after Moses’s death. He was commanded and entrusted with meditating on the Words of the Lord: “Do not let this book depart from you.” God told him to stand firm and be encouraged because he would not be forgotten and left alone. God’s Word will guide him.
Why, today, let the Holy Spirit encourage and ask him: Holy Spirit, what do you want to tell me today? Are you ready for his answer?