0409. 402. Good Cheer for Believers

402. Good Cheer for Believers

Seven times the Lord gives the cheering salutation, “Be of good cheer.” Once indirectly, and six times directly.

1. Sins Forgiven. “Son, be of good cheer; thy sins are forgiven” (Mat_9:2). The past annihilated by the Christ of Calvary.

2. Faith Honoured. “Daughter, be of good cheer; thy faith hath made thee whole” (Mat_9:22, R.V.). Life and health come by contact with the living Christ.

3. Fears Banished. “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid” (Mat_14:27).

“The word of His grace all fears doth efface;

Not one can live in the light of His face.”

4. Feebleness Met. “Be of good cheer; rise, He calleth thee” (Mar_10:49, R.V.). The word of Christ put new life into him, for he “sprang up, and came to Jesus;” and thenceforth Bartimaeus was no longer the beggar sitting, but the disciple following.

5. Foes Overcome. “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (Joh_16:33). The world with its god and Godless course need not daunt us, for Christ can give us deliverance.

6. Further Service Indicated. “The Lord stood by him and said, Be of good cheer… thou must bear witness also in Rome” (Act_23:11).

7. Faith’s Testimony and Blessing. “Be of good cheer… wherefore be of good cheer… Then were they all of good cheer” (Act_27:22, Act_27:25, Act_27:36).

By: DR. F. E. MARSH