John 16:33
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.
I have to confess that I have a problem with so-called faith healers who profit from those who are going through a time of testing. They leave individuals feeling guilty if they are not healed because their faith was just not strong enough. Many people were healed by Jesus, Lazarus was even raised from the dead, yet all eventually died, so we conclude that healing at best is only temporary this side of eternity.
In today’s Scripture we read that Jesus offers good cheer. We fail miserably if we miss the full impact of this passage. The good cheer that Jesus offers comes in the midst of tribulation.
The Greek word for the phrase, good cheer is tharseô. Of course it means good cheer, but it also means to be of good courage. Jesus used it when He healed the man of palsy, the woman with an issue of blood for many years, to His disciples when they were scared out of their skins as they saw Him walking on the water, and to Paul following his arrest in Jerusalem.
Jesus never implied that He was going to take His believers out of the storms and trials of life, but that He would be with them during those storms. He offers that for us today. We never need to go through the conflict alone—He has promised that He would send the Holy Spirit to be with us and support us with victory.
It really does not matter what kind of pain you are experiencing at this very moment. Jesus offers you the most wonderful words of comfort; “be of good cheer.” Claim it as your own at this very moment. He will be with you!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing to others!
—Pastor Cecil