Be of good cheer!

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.

It is difficult for us to understand the full impact of a verse of Scripture unless we are cognizant and familiar with the context in which that verse resides. For here we see that Paul, after having been accused of the Jews at Jerusalem, is called in question before the Sanhedrin. Here, after having an initial confrontation with the high priest, he immediately states his case in its fullest terms. “Of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question,” he says. This immediately precipitated a quarrel between the Pharisees and Sadducees, as the Pharisee believe in the resurrection of the dead, and the Sadducees do not. But nonetheless, the altercation between these two groups turns violent, and Paul finds himself liable to be torn in pieces of the multitude. So violent was this crowd, that the chief captain had to come in and take Paul away from them by force. This was a harrowing sight. Paul’s life was endangered, and moreover, was barely spared. But we notice that the Lord speaks to Paul that night, in the visions of his head on his bed, and told him to “Be of good cheer.” As Paul had borne witness there at Jerusalem, God had plans for him to be spared long enough to preach the gospel at Rome also.

Now this was a needful confirmation to Paul, a statement of extreme comfort: to be of good cheer. For Paul may have thought his ministry was done! That he would be in this castle until death! That he would not see the light of day again! No doubt, to be with Christ is far better, but God saw fit to bring this encouragement to him in his most discouraging hour so that Paul would know that his race was not over. The fight was not finished yet. His course was incomplete. But what a comfort this was to him that night! For he knew that he would not have to go to Rome alone! He knew that the Lord would stand by him and strengthen him. Did the Lord not reassure Paul in the same way as he found himself in imminent shipwreck on the way to Rome? The Lord stood by him then also. He said, “Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Cæsar.” He was not done! God would bring him all the way! And He would give him everyone that was on the ship with him as well! And Paul, strengthened in his inner spirit, would say to the men on the ship, “Be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.” Be of good cheer! I believe God! You cannot cheer others unless you are cheered. You cannot encourage others to believe unless you believe yourself wholeheartedly. For the angel of God had stood by him that night. He had cheered him, and now he could cheer others.

Be of good cheer, my friend, this day! For God is with you! He will stand by you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. He is your Companion. Do not think that the tasks must be done without Him. Do not think that His presence will not go with us. We must only rely on His presence, and comfort ourselves in His peace. Be of good cheer! Believe God that it shall be even as it was told you! Do you believe God today? Do you believe all will be well? Do you believe that God will not default on His Word, but do as He said? Do you believe His presence is with you? Believe God, my friend! Be of good cheer!

“Heavenly Father, we thank Thee that Thou art with us. Thy promises have confirmed this over and over again. May we go forth in your comfort today; may we go forth today in the good cheer that you have provided. May we believe that all things will be as they have been told us. We thank you that you have stood by us so many a time. And we are yours, and we are serving you. Therefore, we trust that you will stand by us again. In all our tasks today, in all our duties this day, and in all our fears and trials, we will be of good cheer, for we believe God! Help us now, we pray. In Christ’s name we pray in faith believing, Amen.”