Strength for Today

At least seven times in the gospels we find this saying of Jesus, "Be of good cheer." A paralyzed man was brought to Jesus. He spoke to him as follows: "Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you" (Matt. 9:2). I liked it when my father called me "son." It is a term of endearment. The paralyzed man received a double blessing from Jesus that day. His sins were forgiven and his paralysis was removed. Jesus blesses us spiritually and physically. Later in this same chapter a woman comes up from behind Jesus and touches the hem of His garment. She thought to herself, "If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well" (v. 21). Jesus turned around and spoke to her these welcome words: "Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well" (v.22). Notice that He called her "daughter." A family term. Jesus is our elder brother and He desires us all to "be of good cheer." There is not much true cheer in this world. Most of it is fake. We sang a chorus in camp when I was young: "If you want joy, real joy, wonderful joy; let Jesus come into your heart." One more example. Jesus came to the disciples, walking on the water in the midst of a terrible storm at sea. Hear His words once again. "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid" (Matt. 14:27). When they got to shore many sick people were brought to Jesus. Some of them begged Him to simply touch the hem of His garment. "And as man as touched it were made perfectly whole" (v. 36). Be of good cheer today. Jesus is alive. He still cares. He still speaks, saying, "Be of good cheer.It is I. Your sins are forgiven. Your faith has made you well. Do not be afraid." I remember another song from my youth. "Cheer up you saints of God, there's nothing to worry about." Through trust in Him let us be a people of cheer. Let us point others to Christ and say, "Be of good cheer!"