(Words in bold and/or underlined are for emphasis)
Consider these accounts in the Gospels where we find the expression “be of good cheer” as spoken by the Lord Jesus Christ:
Matthew 9
“And [Jesus] entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city. And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. And he arose, and departed to his house. But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.” (Matthew 9:1-8)
Matthew 14
“And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:22-33; Mark 6 mentions this account also)
John 16
“Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God. Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe? Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. 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.” (John 16:30-33)
In Matthew 9, we have the “good cheer” of His Pardon. In this particular instance, the Lord Jesus forgave the man’s sins. Similarly, for us, “…we have redemption through [Christ’s] blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” (Ephesians 1:7). Likewise, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
In Matthew 14, we have the “good cheer” of His Presence. Peter had taken his eyes off the Lord and allowed his circumstances/surroundings to affect him. He then began to sink. We have nothing to fear as long as we keep our eyes focused on Him. “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” (Isaiah 41:10). It is comforting knowing that the Lord is with us every step of our journey here on earth, as he said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
And in John 16, we have the “good cheer” of His Peace. The Lord said that, “In the world ye shall have tribulation:…” Indeed, we will have tribulation and “many trials and sorrows” as the New Living Translation (NLT) puts it. However, “You [God] will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” (Isaiah 26:3). The Lord himself said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)
And so, if Jesus is your Lord and Savior, you have reason to rejoice much and “Be of good cheer!”