Episode 48: Praying to the Divine Encourager

<p class="p1">In Podcast Episode 48, “Praying to the Divine Encourager” Kim discusses God as the divine encourager and the importance of praying to Him on behalf of others.</p> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p1">The primary scripture text for this episode is Judges 7:8b-15, with special emphasis on vv. 11, 14:</p> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p3">ENCOURAGEMENT FROM THE LORD DIRECTLY</p> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p1">8b The Midianite camp was in the valley just below Gideon. 9 That night the Lord said, “Get up! Go down into the Midianite camp, for I have given you victory over them! 10 But if you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah. 11 Listen to what the Midianites are saying, and you will be greatly encouraged. Then you will be eager to attack.”</p> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p1">So Gideon took Purah and went down to the edge of the enemy camp. 12 The armies of Midian, Amalek, and the people of the east had settled in the valley like a swarm of locusts. Their camels were like grains of sand on the seashore—too many to count! 13 Gideon crept up just as a man was telling his companion about a dream. The man said, “I had this dream, and in my dream a loaf of barley bread came tumbling down into the Midianite camp. It hit a tent, turned it over, and knocked it flat!”</p> <p class="p4"> </p> <p class="p1">14 His companion answered, “Your dream can mean only one thing—God has given Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite, victory over Midian and all its allies!”</p> <p class="p1">15 When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed in worship before the Lord. Then he returned to the Israelite camp and shouted, “Get up! For the Lord has given you victory over the Midianite hordes!” (1 Kings 7:8b-15)</p> <p class="p1"></p> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p3">ENCOURAGEMENT FROM AN ANGEL</p> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p1">39 Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives. 40 There he told t