“Encourage him” (Deuteronomy 1:38)
God tells Moses to encourage Joshua. He didn’t tell an angel to do it. An angel wouldn’t have been as good a messenger as Moses. 1) An angel would have scared Joshua, unnecessarily. 2) An angel wouldn’t have been able to appreciate Joshua’s fears. 3) An angel wouldn’t have been able to sympathize with all Joshua would have to go through: the difficulties of the journey, the fiery serpents, and the stiff-necked multitude.

Thank God he uses us to minister to one another. This applies especially to those seeking salvation. Try to remove any stumbling blocks from their way. When you detect a spark of grace in their heart, kneel down and blow it into a flame. Let the young believer discover the roughness of the road by degrees, and point him to the power of God, the sureness of the promise, and the benefits of unconditional submission to the Lordship of Christ. “Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24).

“We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves” (Romans 15:1). “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:1–2).

“You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;  who once were not a people but are now the people of God” (1 Peter 2:9–10).

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