Be Of Good Cheer
Many times in life, you as you grow old, are going to get discouraged, depressed, distraught, and broken hearted. There will be a day if you live long enough, that you will wonder if the sun will ever shine again. But the Bible says in John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
What are some of the reasons that we get discouraged?
The hardness of the way. Numbers 21:4 And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.
The Christian life is not an easy life. You are going to have to do some hard things if you are going to be a Christian. You may be called to go to the foreign mission field.
A person surrenders to the mission field, whether foreign or home, and gives up the niceties of life. They trade their happy life for one that is under a looking glass. Some leave the comforts we have in the United States to go to very primitive places. To live under a new culture, a new land, a new rule. Some may give up the luxuries of electricity, running water, and yes even indoor plumbing. Realizing that God doeth all things well, they say yes. But this is only the beginning. They then have to try to get meetings with churches who sometimes have members who think, “they just want our money.” Well the fact is, they do. People in second and third world countries still require money to get things. How would you like to have to go to, and depend on, people like you for your livelihood? The whole time, not only are they trying to raise support, they probably like eating as well, and nobody gives away the fuel for their vehicle which breaks down. Realistically it is a very hard way of life, and it can be very discouraging, and disheartening.
The way is hard when we get up early to read our Bible and pray, or when we fast for a certain amount of time, or try to help our enemy. There will be times when you lose sleep because of others. All this is done while being hated by the world. Some are beaten, tortured, and murdered. Foxes book of martyrs is filled with many like this.
Because of the prosperity of the unsaved. Psalms 73:2-3 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Let me just remind us all that all their niceties will one day come to an end. Yes it is hard to understand why, but may I say that the only time we ask why, is when we take our eyes off of God and put them on us. God doesn’t owe us any explanation.
Because of unanswered prayer. Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
Sometimes we get distraught when our prayers aren’t answered the way we want, or when we want. God doesn’t answer payer in our timeline, He us in His own time, but He does answer. Remember when Daniel prayed, and the answer was delayed? What did the angel tell him in Daniel 10:12-14 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.
It may be a Monday or a dark day, but SUNDAY is coming. And God says, be of good cheer.
Why should we be encouraged? Because He supplies our needs. Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
God knows exactly what we need and when we need it. God fed Elijah at the brook by a raven on all things. Can you see Elijah about supper time when all of a sudden a raven swoops down and drops a rotisserie chicken and a bottle of water? Then when the brook dried up God sent him to the house of a widow woman so poor she couldn’t pay attention. She was poor physically but rich in faith. Sometimes I wonder did God use the woman to take care of Elijah, or Elijah to take care of the woman. God knows what needs you have and when you need them. I can’t tell you how many times He has come through for me. You say “well He has never done anything for me”. Then I would examine myself to make sure that I was Born Again the Bible way; which leads me to my last point.
Because of salvation - John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Do you buy clothes for all the neighbors, or feed them, or send them to school? Of course not, their parents do. So why should God take care of those that are not His? The Bible says in Matthew 7:22-23 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
There will be many religious people to burn in hell; please make sure that you are not one of them. Notice He said “I never knew you”. Because they never got Born again the Bible way.
What are some of the reasons that we get discouraged?
The hardness of the way. Numbers 21:4 And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.
The Christian life is not an easy life. You are going to have to do some hard things if you are going to be a Christian. You may be called to go to the foreign mission field.
A person surrenders to the mission field, whether foreign or home, and gives up the niceties of life. They trade their happy life for one that is under a looking glass. Some leave the comforts we have in the United States to go to very primitive places. To live under a new culture, a new land, a new rule. Some may give up the luxuries of electricity, running water, and yes even indoor plumbing. Realizing that God doeth all things well, they say yes. But this is only the beginning. They then have to try to get meetings with churches who sometimes have members who think, “they just want our money.” Well the fact is, they do. People in second and third world countries still require money to get things. How would you like to have to go to, and depend on, people like you for your livelihood? The whole time, not only are they trying to raise support, they probably like eating as well, and nobody gives away the fuel for their vehicle which breaks down. Realistically it is a very hard way of life, and it can be very discouraging, and disheartening.
The way is hard when we get up early to read our Bible and pray, or when we fast for a certain amount of time, or try to help our enemy. There will be times when you lose sleep because of others. All this is done while being hated by the world. Some are beaten, tortured, and murdered. Foxes book of martyrs is filled with many like this.
Because of the prosperity of the unsaved. Psalms 73:2-3 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Let me just remind us all that all their niceties will one day come to an end. Yes it is hard to understand why, but may I say that the only time we ask why, is when we take our eyes off of God and put them on us. God doesn’t owe us any explanation.
Because of unanswered prayer. Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
Sometimes we get distraught when our prayers aren’t answered the way we want, or when we want. God doesn’t answer payer in our timeline, He us in His own time, but He does answer. Remember when Daniel prayed, and the answer was delayed? What did the angel tell him in Daniel 10:12-14 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.
It may be a Monday or a dark day, but SUNDAY is coming. And God says, be of good cheer.
Why should we be encouraged? Because He supplies our needs. Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
God knows exactly what we need and when we need it. God fed Elijah at the brook by a raven on all things. Can you see Elijah about supper time when all of a sudden a raven swoops down and drops a rotisserie chicken and a bottle of water? Then when the brook dried up God sent him to the house of a widow woman so poor she couldn’t pay attention. She was poor physically but rich in faith. Sometimes I wonder did God use the woman to take care of Elijah, or Elijah to take care of the woman. God knows what needs you have and when you need them. I can’t tell you how many times He has come through for me. You say “well He has never done anything for me”. Then I would examine myself to make sure that I was Born Again the Bible way; which leads me to my last point.
Because of salvation - John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Do you buy clothes for all the neighbors, or feed them, or send them to school? Of course not, their parents do. So why should God take care of those that are not His? The Bible says in Matthew 7:22-23 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
There will be many religious people to burn in hell; please make sure that you are not one of them. Notice He said “I never knew you”. Because they never got Born again the Bible way.