“Each one helps the other, saying to one another, ‘Take courage!’”

–Isaiah 41:6

As part of a recent trip, Lori and I arrived one Sunday morning in Copenhagen.  We took a train from the airport and upon arriving at the city’s Central Station, began to walk the few blocks to our hotel. It soon became apparent that there was some kind of unusual activity ahead of us as many roads were blocked off.  Only as we drew closer did we realize that a marathon was underway.  It must have started about an hour before we arrived as the runners were 12-15 across as we waited on the sidewalk. We literally could see our hotel, but for an hour could not reach it as there wasn’t a sufficient break in the runners to cross the road. It brought back memories of my first (and last) marathon on a cold and rainy January day in Charlotte years ago.

The 2025 runners in the Danish capital enjoyed near perfect weather. Many of the runner were still faring well as they passed us. I saw a couple of them who stopped to remove their shoes and stretch an achilles tendon. Some were in a pace group and others pushed a jogging stroller.  I learned from a race official that we stood at the halfway point. Eventually, the mass of athletes had sufficient gaps that we could cross without interfering. After checking into our hotel, we set out for a walk on the other side of the road, but in the same direction as the race. 

One of the pieces I appreciated from the distance races I ran was the people along the route cheering us on. It didn’t matter if they knew me or not, as their shouts of motivation and applause, some funny handmade signs and water stations staffed by volunteers kept me going. That was true in Copenhagen as well.  I saw one large sign that read “This will feel like the best day of your life next week,” acknowledging the sense of satisfaction that will come as their bodies began to recover. There was a man who kept shouting words of motivation (most of which would not meet the PG rating of this blog) to runners.  Simple acts of encouragement that made all the difference for some tired runners.

The Biblical words above seem to have the same intent. After saying “Take courage,” God continues. “The artisan encourages the goldsmith, and the one who smooths with the hammer encourages the one who strikes the anvil, saying of the soldering, ‘It is good’ and they fasten it with nails so that it cannot be moved.” I found those verses in a concordance to seeking texts that speak about encouragement. These words certainly seemed to fit the bill.

My seminary training, however, requires me to tell you that the context for those words is quite different.  If you look at what occurs before and after those verses in Isaiah, it becomes clear that God is talking about the lands that resist the divine way. The notes in my study Bible interpret those verses to mean “The nations fear the approach of the LORD and build idols in a futile attempt to protect themselves.” After those lines, God speaks to the Israelites assures them that they do not need to worry. As for the pagan lands? That’s a different story!

It isn’t my usual practice to argue with scholars who know Scripture far better than I. Their assessment of the original intent makes sense and is probably correct. Still, I believe the Bible can speak faithfully even when taken out of context. For in those same words from God, we are reminded of the impact you and I can have on others who are face a challenging moment or season of life.

Perhaps it is a child at his first swim lesson who isn’t sure that the words of the instructor are true. Maybe, it’s the high school senior who is fearful that she doesn’t have what it takes to manage a college workload.  It might be the friend who has just gone through a painful divorce or one who is halfway through rehab and worn-out. We all need people in our life to encourage us in such moments and countless more.

Yet that Scandinavian marathon reminded me that such words need not be limited to people we know. And perhaps it is someone you will meet for the first time in the ordinary events of this day who most needs that word from you. I encourage you to give it a try!

Encourager of the Morning, I celebrate that ongoing blessing from you. May I offer the same gift this day to at least one other person. Amen.