“An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:39,40).

“Yes, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance” (II Peter 1:13).

It is apparently rather easy, in this day of football games, rock concerts, and race riots, to get the emotions of a crowd all stirred up. The stirring of emotions can be either good or bad, of course, depending on the cause.

“But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13).

The fascinating word rendered “exhort” (Greek parakaleo) in our text verse, elsewhere translated “comfort,” “beseech,” etc., literally means “call alongside.”

“Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares. And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger: that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment” (Numbers 35:11,12).

“Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 124:8).