Be Of Good Cheer
Paul Mahan

And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship. For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. Acts 27:22-25

There is nothing righteous about a gloomy, despondent, pessimistic attitude in a believer. In fact, these things are the opposite of righteousness. Those who honor God the most are those who walk before Him with a cheerful heart, full of joy, believing His precious word and rejoicing in His glorious gospel.

Paul was in the most perplexing of circumstances, so far as outward evidence was concerned; all hope of being delivered from the raging sea was gone. Yet, he found cause to rejoice and reason to hope; "Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer; for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me" (Vs. 25).

Let me encourage you to be of "good cheer." No matter what the day may hold, no matter how bleak the outcome may seem, no matter how severe the pain may be, no matter how hopeless the situation appears to be, "Be of good cheer." If you belong to Him in the eternal covenant of mercy, if you are purchased by His blood redemption, if you are called by His effectual grace, you have every reason to "be of good cheer."

Search the scripture and see if this is not true! "All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose" (Rom. 8:28). God said, "rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say rejoice" (Phil. 4:4). Our Lord told the man who was paralyzed, "Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee" (Matt. 9:2). He told His disciples who were tossed about in a violent storm upon the sea, "Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid" (Matt. 14:27). He told the disciples on another occasion that they would have trouble; but He added, "Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 6:32-33).

Yes, my friend, our life is full of heartache, disappointment, and grief; but we still have abundant reason to "BE OF GOOD CHEER." THE LORD REIGNETH!