Three Cheers
[The Lord said] “Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’
John 16:33
On three different occasions, the Lord Jesus encouraged His disciples to ‘be of good cheer.'
The first reason to be cheerful is because our sins are forgiven and forgotten in Christ. ‘He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you”’ (Matthew 9:2). Because of the cross, our faults, failings and sins will never be used in judgment against us, In John 5:24, the Lord said: ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.'
The second reason to be cheerful is because we are not fighting for victory; we are fighting form the perspective of already having the victory. ‘In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world’ (John 16:33).
And the third reason to cheer is because Jesus will be with us no matter what life throws at us or who comes against us. Just as He was with the terrified disciples on board a storm-tossed boat, He will be there whenever we need Him: ‘They were troubled…But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid”’ (Matthew 14:26-27). Peace is not the absence of storms. It is knowing Christ is with us and ‘nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord’ (Romans 8:39).
Bible Reading
John 16:25-33.
Prayer
I can be of good cheer, Lord Jesus because of what You have done for me. I pray in Your wonderful name. Amen.
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