CHRISTIAN CHEER
Jack Davis
“BE OF GOOD CHEER”
In the gospels, those that hear Jesus speak these words are encouraged to have boldness, take courage and be comforted, by what he has to tell them. This expression is used in the book of Acts to tell the hearers to cheer up, be cheerful, to put in good spirits. In each setting we read, “be of good Cheer” the opposite attitude is more likely to be expected in reaction to the stated conditions. Therefore we realize that which is called for must come from the supernatural. This different reaction does not come of a frivolous, foolish, fickle attitude, but from faith firmly fixed on scriptural fact.
HIS PEACE AND PROMISE TO PREVAIL
“Behold, the hour cometh, yea is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” – Jn. 16:32-33.
“These things:” Seven times in this chapter Jesus uses this expression to foretell things of tribulation, trouble, turmoil, trying times to deep distress and great frustration. He told of coming sorrow, suffering, and separation. “But” in spite of these things in the face of them all, He did say, “in me…have peace.” He has wonderfully prevailed, Let Him cheer your heart. He is not telling them to pretend it won’t happen, nor that it doesn’t hurt. He is net telling them to keep a stiff upper lip. He understood how confused and disturbed they would be, (V.30). Yet based on His word, encouraged by His victory, and comforted by His promise they were to go on undaunted with a certainty and confidence in Him.
How about us? He overcame. He has won for us the victory. He has conquered the world’s opposing forces and deprived them of their power to defeat us. Shall we not march on our way rejoicing in Rom. 8:28,37; Eph. 4:8-10; I Cor. 15:57; II Cor. 2:14; Col. 2:14-15; and Rev. 3:19-22. He is winning victories in us. “He that overcometh shall inherit all things” – Rev. 21:7.
HIS POWER
In Mathew nine we read of Jesus coming to His own city and they bring to Him a sick man that is paralyzed, and bedfast. Jesus seems to be impressed with their faith. He said unto him; “Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.”
They (the scribes) were critical of Jesus and He answered the evil thoughts of their hearts saying; “Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say. Arise and walk.” Later he said to the man; “Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.” The man did just that. “When the multitudes saw it, they marvelled and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.”
Oh how powerful is His WORD to speak faith to our hearts. He still encourages us to put our faith unto action. We are able to arise and walk spiritually when we know our sins are forgiven. Whether under condemnation for sin, or bedfast, He is able to make us able to do His will. He speaks the word of good cheer to forgive and to free us from whatever is holding us down, or hindering our walk.
HIS PERSON
“But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with the waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spoke to them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I be not afraid” – Mt. 14:24-27.
We each, in our days will come to storm tossed times and do face contrary winds. Shall we not be comforted with the presence of His person? I am sure they enjoyed having Him identify Himself at that moment. Oh, how it cheers our heats to hear His Word. But what courage it gives us to see Jesus in the midst of the storm, and especially to know Him in such times. When Jesus and Peter got into the ship, after Jesus had lifted Peter out of the waters, we read, “the wind ceased.” The storm had served its purpose. It had revealed the fact of fear and lack of faith. They also got a real up close, and personal illustration of the power of His presence. They worshiped Him in a greater awareness of who He was.
HIS PROMISE TO PRESERVE
“And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and take Him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle. And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, be of good cheer, Paul; for thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness at Rome” – Acts 23:10-11.
Paul being faithful to testify of the hope of the resurrection got himself into much trouble between some vicious opponents of the truth. They decided to have a tug of war and use Paul for the rope. This was no game with them, they were serious. The captain evidently feared for Paul’ life. It’s possible that Paul despaired of life, at that moment. Paul experiencing bodily, the fury of religious animosity could be expected to be anything but cheerful. He certainly needed this word of comfort.
Have we ever been torn and troubled, and felt as if we were being pulled in pieces? Oh, yes we have and it is not all over yet. Although we know beyond any doubt that our Lord has fully provided that we finish our course with Joy. It won’t be much longer, Just a little while. We, like our brother Paul can assuredly say, “And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” – II Tim. 4:18.
PAUL’S PERSUASION
In Acts 27 we read of Paul as a prisoner being placed on a ship destined for Rome. While at sea they encountered dangerous sailing conditions, even the tempestuous wind called Euroclydon. They were exceedingly tossed with the tempest. And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on them, all hope that they should be saved was then taken away” – Acts 27:20. Then Paul stood forth in the midst of them and said; “Sirs…I exhort you to be of good cheer…for there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve…” Paul was told not to fear for he was to be brought before Caesar, and that God had given to Paul all that sail with him. Then he told them again, “be of good cheer: For I believe God that it shall be even as it was told me” – V.25.
Has the Lord told us anything? Has God’s Word been speaking to our hearts? Are we listening? When we believe what we hear from His Word, our hearts just can’t help[ but be cheered, even in seemingly impossible situations. In the storm, those on the ship had not been eating, but Paul encouraged them to partake of some nourishment. Paul was then an example before them all, and began to ear. “Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat” – V.36. I am impressed that Paul was able to share the Word of the Lord that cheered his heart, effectually. Do we not also have the sweet privilege, and grave responsibility to be mutually comforted and encouraged? Consider Isa. 50:4-5.
