Be of good cheer Acts 27:25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. Acts 27 gives an account of Paul’s voyage towards Rome as a prisoner, to appear before Caesar. Not only was he a prisoner, but there arose a great storm along the way. And this all happening to a mighty man of God. But this was not some unfortunate incident happening to Paul. Rather, Paul knew that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28); just as the Lord had spoken to him in Acts 23:11, which says, “And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as you have testified of me in Jerusalem, so must you bear witness also at Rome.” The storm was so fierce that all hope of being saved had been lost. But an angel of God stood before Paul in the night, saying, “Fear not, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God has given you all them that sail with you” (Acts 27:24). And so Paul stood in the midst of those on board, saying, “I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any mans life among you, but of the ship (Acts 27:22); Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told to me” (Acts 27:25). God’s Word is true and never failing, and it was as Paul had been told, not one person aboard lost their lives! O how quickly we become afraid for our very lives in the midst of the storm. O how quickly we panic and become anxious in life. Yet, have we not graciously been afforded eternal life in and through Christ Jesus? As we sail the storm ridden seas of this life, on our way to stand before the judgement seat of Christ (Romans 14:10), are we not sailing with Jesus right by our side? Has not God promised that our soul and spirit will be saved and that only our earthly vessel will be laid to the ground? So today, if we believe God, that it shall be even as we have been told, may we stand in the midst of the storms, trials and tribulations, and be of good cheer. Let our soul not be cast down within us, but let us say, “O Lord, You have brought up my soul from the grave: You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit” (Psalm 30:3). And let us be greatly encouraged by the very words of Jesus in Matthew 14:27, saying, “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid”; in Matthew 9:2, saying, “Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee”; and in John 16:33, saying, “These things I have spoken to you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world”. The question we must each ask ourselves today is this, ‘Do I truly believe the Word of God?’
Posted on: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 11:41:05 +0000
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