Be of Good Cheer

Nov. 14., 2011 By Pastor Jacque Babb, a Pastor of Keystone Church  

Matt. 14:27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid."
 
When the story broke about the scandal connected with Penn State, we immediately began to pray.  Because of the impact and the depth of these allegations and the horror of the acts in our region, we asked God how to pray.
 
I was meditating on some verses that I recently heard preached and the Lord said to write my article to encourage and frame the situation from His perspective.
 
As a church the Lord given us an assignment in our region.  That assignment is to bring the Kingdom of God to our region and to become a standard of righteousness which means right standing. We are familiar with His ways and I would say that the day is coming that there will be some days when we are going to see in new ways of God moving.
 
In the midst of this scandal we are like the boat the disciples were in right in the middle of the sea with a storm breaking and Jesus is praying for us.We may wonder what He is up to but be assured that He has everything under control.  He is shaking what can be shaken and He says, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid."
 
Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go ... while He prayed.

We are in "the boat" and our boat is in the centre region, which relates to Penn State, so the troubled waters and contrary wind that is stirring now impacts us.  
 
Matt. 14:22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.  23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.  24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.
 
Matt. 14:25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.  26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear.
Matt. 14:27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid."
 
This scandal is a fourth watch "hour" for us but Jesus has a plan and just like the disciples, we could be afraid watching the things that are happening with Penn State. Jesus saw their concern and immediately spoke to them, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." Jesus is saying the same to us.
 
Matt. 14:28 And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."
Matt. 14:29 So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.  30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"
Matt. 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
Matt. 14:33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God."
 
In this hour, what can be shaken is being shaken and we will experience aftershocks. If you want to know what to think about it, ask Him.  He will say, "Come.  Don't worry about the wind or water just keep your eyes on Me." When Peter stepped out of the boat the wind and waves did not stop to make it easier for him to walk on the water to Jesus.  Peter made the decision in the midst of the storm and only  lost his confidence when he began to look at the circumstances.  And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him.   So even when we are in a shaky or confusing time He is there to stretch out His hand to sure our steps and guide us forward.   
 
There are so many words in the wind right now and waves are crashing all around our region.  We can get caught up in the scandal unfolding at Penn State and become afraid or disgusted or disillusioned or we can stand on our faith believing God has a plan for redemption and restoration.
     
God would ask why do you doubt?  Trust God that this is a opportunity to see a cleansing and for a great healing to come.  Pray for all involved.   Pray, Pray, Pray!