But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome."—Acts 23:11
As I read this verse in Acts 23 this morning my heart was encouraged. It is God’s will that despite all that is happening around us...despite the evil...despite the uncertainty...we are to remain faithful and to be of good cheer. The gracious consolations of God sustain us. The Lord stands with us and strengthens us! Truly, if God is for us, who can be against us?
My God is my refuge and strength. He is my very present help in time of trouble. Therefore, I NEED NOT fear. He IS with me and upholds me with His righteous right hand. All those incensed against me shall be ashamed and disgraced. They shall be as nothing and those who strive with me shall perish. Even now, God holds my right hand and says, fear not, I will help you. I CAN be of good cheer. There is NO condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. I am His and He is mine. He calls me by name. When I pass through the waters, He is with me, and the rivers, they do not overflow me. In Him my heart has peace. In the world I have tribulation, but I can and will be of good cheer...He has overcome the world.
After I finished writing the above, I read today’s Psalm and rejoiced as I heard David’s faithful and cheerful heart 1000 years earlier even as he flees from Absalom, his son. We CAN be faithful..we CAN be cheerful...for it is the Lord who is in us and stands by us.
1 LORD, how they have increased who trouble me!
Many are they who rise up against me.
2 Many are they who say of me,
"There is no help for him in God."
Selah
3 But You, O LORD, are a shield for me,
My glory and the One who lifts up my head.
4 I cried to the LORD with my voice,
And He heard me from His holy hill.
Selah
5 I lay down and slept;
I awoke, for the LORD sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
Who have set themselves against me all around.
7 Arise, O LORD;
Save me, O my God!
For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone;
You have broken the teeth of the ungodly.
8 Salvation belongs to the LORD.
Your blessing is upon Your people.
Selah—Psalm 3
