Be Of Good Cheer

-July 18, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Saturday,

“But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, ‘Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.’”

(Acts 23:11).

Paul was given an opportunity to speak on his own behalf to the Jews by the Roman authorities. His defense split two sides, and he was literally being torn in two by the Jews. They hated him and wanted to kill him for his witness of the Lord Jesus and the resurrection. One sect, the Sadducees, didn’t believe in angels or in the resurrection; the other sect, the Pharisees did. Paul was caught in right in the middle.

The Roman soldiers had to intervene to save Paul’s life. It was at this time that the Lord Jesus appeared to him and stood by him, saying, “Be of good cheer…”

This phrase, “be of good cheer,” is found eight times in the NT. Seven of the eight times it was spoken by Jesus and once by the disciples. It means to be happy, to be encouraged, to be positive, even when things don’t look like it.

Only the believer in Jesus Christ can be of good courage even when circumstances are at their worst. While in the upper room before His arrest, trial, and crucifixion, He said to the disciples, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

We all need good cheer and then we can spread it to others who are going through hard times. Being of good cheer is more than being positive and keeping a stiff upper lip. It means to be encouraged that the Lord will work things out and we just need to trust Him.

Do you need a little good cheer today? Are your burdens weighing you down? Are your problems bringing you down? It’s time to rejoice in Him. Our joy comes from within because we belong to Christ, He is with us, and He will see us through the darkest night.

The Lord stands by us, speaks our name, and gives us words of hope, peace, assurance, and encouragement. Have a blessed day. Stay safe and healthy.

Turn your to eyes Jesus and watch Him work on your behalf and see you through.

Dean