Be of Good Cheer!

Tuesday, November 3, 2020

“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” (Matthew 9:2 KJV).

The (dreaded) United States’ Election Day is here, but “Be of good cheer!”

Our King James Bible uses the exhortation, “Be of good cheer,” on seven occasions—during depressing circumstances. Today’s Scripture, the first instance, is Jesus encouraging the paralyzed man He is about to heal (physically, but more importantly, spiritually)!

As a storm violently rocks the disciples’ boat, Jesus walks on the water, saying, “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid” (Matthew 14:27). Mark 6:50 reads: “For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.” On the night of His arrest, just hours before His crucifixion, Jesus tells His disciples in the upper room: “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” (John 16:33).

After Paul was violently attacked in Jerusalem, he is arrested and stands before the Sanhedrin (Israel’s governing religious body). “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” (Acts 23:11). While Paul sails to Rome, inclement weather threatens the ship. Acts 27:22 and 25 quote his words to his companions: “And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship… Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.” (According to verses 23 and 24, an angel had appeared to Paul to comfort him and his fellow travelers.)

Saints, no matter the election outcome, let us “be of good cheer.” We are “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20), and this is not our home anyway! Furthermore, as our Lord said, “Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33)! 🙂

In light of the U.S. Presidential Election, you may read our archived study: “Is ‘divine right of kings’ a Scriptural teaching?”