As I was praying and worshiping the other day, the Lord simply said this: "Tell My people to be of good cheer, in spite of all the troubles they see around them, and whatever that's happening in the world right now."
Yes, be of good cheer, in spite of whatever trouble, problem, or challenges you may be facing at the moment. Take heart. There is help for you! Whatever work of the enemy that comes against you, be it sickness, disease, lack, or all other kinds of troubles, spiritually or physically, look to the Lord!
Literally, beloved, the Lord wants to put smiles back to your face.
Maybe you are going through a tough time at workplace. Maybe you are struggling with certain health issues. Maybe some family members of yours are going through a rough patch in life, and because you love them so much, you are deeply concerned. Or maybe there's a relationship issue in your life that sucks joy out of your life. Whatever your situation may be, take heart. Look to the Lord. He is a good God. He is a God who is alive. He isn't dead in your situation. He will know how to save you, deliver you, rescue you, and set you free from all your predicaments. Just do not doubt. Keep trusting in Him and His goodness in your life.
Let's begin with the definitions of 'Be of good cheer', translated from the original words spoken by Jesus. It can mean 'be bold and of good courage'. It can mean 'keep the joy of the Lord'. Nehemiah 8:10 says, 'The joy of the Lord is your strength'. It means when you keep the joy of the Lord and receive the joy of the Lord, you have the strength to carry on and look forward in your life. Another way to define 'Be of good cheer' is 'to rejoice (in spite of the troubles around you)'. It means you choose to rejoice, in spite of all those troubles and "choppy waters" around you. You can also define 'Be of good cheer' as 'having hope (that all will be well)'. It can also mean 'not getting discouraged', 'not losing faith and trust (in the Lord)', or 'facing life with confidence (in the Lord)'.
In other words, come what may, but if you have the Lord with you, you have no problem looking ahead in your life, knowing that you can count on the Lord to bring you through.
Let's go to the Scripture now. Matthew 9:2 says, 'Then behold, they brought to Jesus a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith (i.e. 'a believing heart'), Jesus said to the paralytic, "Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you."'
You see, Jesus has the power to forgive sins. He then said to the paralytic, "Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house." And he was made well, arose, and departed back to his house.
Beloved, whatever that's past is past. Let the bygones be bygones. Receive the forgiveness of the Lord right now. Whatever mistake that you've made or committed in your past, this is your time to receive the forgiveness of the Lord. You know what? Forgiveness leads to your healing, whether in the spirit, soul, or physical body.
The words 'good cheer' here is 'tharseo' in Greek. It can simply mean 'be comforted' or 'have good courage'.
So, whatever your situation may be, the Lord is comforting you. The Lord is saying to you, "I will give you the strength to look ahead. I will give you the strength to carry on. I will give you good courage."
Matthew 9:20-22 says, 'And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of Jesus' garment. For she said to herself, "If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well." But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, "Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well." And the woman was made well from that hour.'
The words 'good cheer' here is the same word 'tharseo'.
As simple as this message may be, the Lord has spoken, "Somebody needs to hear this." And He is saying to you, whatever healing that you need, He is touching you right now. Wherever you may be, let the Lord touch you. Be healed, and stay healed, in the name of Jesus! Be well, and stay well, in the name of Jesus! Receive by faith!
Matthew 14:22-24 says, 'Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.' In other words, they were in "choppy waters".
Matthew 14:25-27 says, 'Now in the fourth watch (between 3:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.) of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid."'
The words 'good cheer' here is the same word again, 'tharseo'.
Here, you see that Jesus was walking on the sea. Literally, He was walking on water! That's supernatural! No one in the physical realm can do that! But Jesus is above the physical realm. He is supernatural!
Whatever "storm" or "choppy waters" you may be in at the moment, the Lord is saying to you, "With men, it may be impossible. But with Me, nothing is impossible. All things are possible." If Jesus could walk on water, Jesus can do anything to rescue you!
Matthew 14:28-29 says, 'And Peter answered Jesus and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.'
In other words, Peter was beginning to walk in the supernatural! As long as he continued looking to Jesus, he could walk in the supernatural realm! Now it is the same with us. As long as you keep looking to Him, and not look at the left or look at the right; and as long as you're not looking at all those "stormy and choppy waters", you can walk in the supernatural realm as well. You can walk higher and above all that is in the physical realm!
Now, of course, don't get me wrong. What you've read in the verses above is just an example of your God who is supernatural. That doesn't mean you can be like a 'daredevil' and just walk on water now. If the Lord never puts in your heart to do something, then you don't try to do it by your own strength.
Let's continue with Matthew 14:30. 'But when Peter saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God."'
Yes, Jesus is the Son of the living God! Not just any prophet. Not just any teacher. But God came in the flesh.
Last but not least, let's go to John 16:33, in the words of Jesus: "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation (i.e. 'trouble'); but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
Again, the words 'good cheer' here is 'tharseo' in Greek. So, all throughout the Scripture verses that we've read with the words 'good cheer' today, we have learned this word 'tharseo', meaning 'be comforted' or 'have good courage'.
So, in the midst of all those troubles around you, be it in the office, in the neighborhood, in an organization, or whatever your situation may be, the Lord is giving you the peace, the Shalom peace, right now. The peace that comes only from the Lord. The peace that you cannot get from this world. The peace that the Lord says, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled. Let not your heart be afraid." Amen!
To wrap it up, you can personalize all these verses that I've mentioned to you, and speak these out over and over again for your ears to hear. 'Faith comes by hearing; hearing comes by the Word of God' (Romans 10:17). In other words, your faith arises when you hear the Word of God being spoken.
I can summarize it for you:
He has forgiven me (Matthew 9:2)
He has made me well (Matthew 9:22)
He has saved me from my troubles (Matthew 14:27)
He has given me peace (John 16:33a)
He has overcome for me (John 16:33b)
Indeed, I want to declare that the Lord is here, and the Lord has overcome for you. Amen!
Prayer:
"O Lord God, no matter what we may be facing at the moment, You have spoken 'Be of good cheer' ('tharseo'). Because You will surely know how to save us, deliver us, rescue us, and set us free from all our predicaments. We choose not to doubt. But we choose to put all our trust in You. You are a miracle-working God. With men, it may be impossible. But with You, all things are possible. So, we look to You in a time like this. We do not want to look at the 'storms' or 'choppy waters' around us. We do not want to look at the left or at the right. But we look to You, knowing that we can count on You. In Jesus' name. Amen."
