Good Cheer

Much of our society thinks that “good cheer” is found in a bottle, a promotion, or some success they achieve.  One reason many people are so discouraged about their situation in life is they have experienced emptiness in place of the “good cheer” they thought these things would bring.

The Lord Jesus uses the word that is translated “good cheer” five times in the New Testament.  In His use of this word, we see the true basis of good cheer.

1.     His Pardon of Sin Brings Good Cheer—Matthew 9:2, “And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.”  Before Jesus has done anything for this man physically, He tells him to “be of good cheer” because his sins are forgiven.  The onlookers were right, only God can forgive sin.  Since Jesus is God, He can forgive this man’s sin.

If your sin is not forgiven, you will not have lasting good cheer, no matter what else you accomplish.  If your sins are forgiven through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior, you can be of good cheer even with physical problems.

2.     His Power Over Sickness Brings Good Cheer—Matthew 9:22, “But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.”  This woman had been sick twelve years.  Jesus tells her she can “be of good cheer” because she has been made whole.

We know from the Apostle Paul’s life that God does not always heal our physical maladies.  But the fact that He is the Great Physician and is in control of everything that affects us is cause for good cheer.

3.     His Presence In The Storm Brings Good Cheer—Matthew 14: 27, “But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.”  The disciples were doing exactly what Jesus had told them to do (go across the Sea of Galilee) when they were caught in a storm.  Jesus came to them that night and before He calmed the storm, He said to them “Be of good cheer, it is I, be not afraid.”

When you know the presence of Jesus Christ in your life, you can be of good cheer, no matter what storm you are going through.

4.     His Position As Victor Over the World Brings Good Cheer—John 16:33, “These things I have 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.”  As Jesus is about to leave this world, He tells His followers that they will have tribulation in this world.  But, He says, you can be of good cheer because I have overcome this world.

Regardless of what the world does to us we can be of good cheer because when we know Jesus Christ as our Savior, we know we are on the winning side.

We see an application of these reasons for good cheer in Acts 23:11, “And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.”  Paul has been arrested and imprisoned unjustly.  He is being persecuted by the world.  His life is in danger from those who want to kill him.  In the midst of this storm, Jesus “stood by him,” and said, “Be of good cheer.”

How could he know “good cheer” in those circumstances?  Because he knew his sins were forgiven, he knew Jesus had power over his physical condition, he knew the presence of Jesus in the storm, and Jesus promised him victory over all those forces that threatened him.

Good cheer.  Do you truly know it?