John 16:33 — Be of Good Cheer!

All day I was troubled with someone’s possible loss, when with all my heart I thought the news would be the opposite. I prayed, I interceded, I pleaded, I cried. Finally, with a heavy heart, I decided to run an errand that would put me in my car for 40 minutes, listening to worship music. I continued to pray. At one point, I began to doubt myself and my heart on the matter. I immediately cancelled that thought with a positive statement. I then heard the Lord say, “In this world you will have trouble, but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

After my errand and concentration on something pleasant, as I got back into my car, I realized that I was in a much better mood. Hope—as well as—peace had returned to my spirit. As soon as I got home, I looked up “be of good cheer” and could only find it in the New King James Version. Imagine my total surprise to find the absolute same verses as the ones I’d studied just a few days ago for “Take Courage.” The word is tharseo and in John 16:33 it is translated “be of good cheer.” Another meaning for the Greek word in this instance is be of good comfort. Never in a million years would I have expected the same verses. Of course there are a few others… mainly the one that came to my heart in the car ride. WOW! Our Lord IS the same yesterday, today and tomorrow!

Why so cast down, o my soul? Hope thou in God!
Psalm 42:5

1. Matthew 9:2
   Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.”
2. Matthew 9:22
   But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour.
3. Matthew 14:27
   But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
4. Mark 6:50
   for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
5. Mark 10:49
   So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.”
6. Luke 8:48
   And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”
7. 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.”
8. Acts 23:11
   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.”