June 13

Matthew 14:27
 
“Straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid” — Matthew 14:2727But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. (Matthew 14:27).
THE four words, “Be of good cheer,” represent only one Greek word. It has been suggested that it might be rendered by the English term, “Cheerio”! Several times our Lord used this expression to encourage the fainting hearts of His disciples. The same word is used in Acts 23:11; 27:22, 2511And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome. (Acts 23:11)
22And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship. (Acts 27:22)
25Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. (Acts 27:25). When Christ Himself is concerned about us there is no cause for worry or anxiety on our part. No matter how heavy the storm or how distressing the trials we have to face He is there to cheer and to deliver.
“Night was upon there, the tempest was howling,
Waves running high, and their hearts full of fear;
When all was darkness, the Saviour drew near them,
And they heard His voice saying, ‘Be of good cheer’.
Are we in darkness? Do winds blow against us?
Are we in fear with the waves running high?
Listen! By faith we can hear through the tempest,
‘Be not afraid, My dear ones; it is I.’
‘Be of good cheer,’ Earth’s foundations seem tottering,
All is unrest, and men’s hearts are perplexed;
We need not fear, since the Lord is so near us,
He drawath nigh, and in Him we may rest.”