Be of Good Cheer

Life isn’t always smooth sailing. Sometimes it can get a little rocky. You may even feel like you’re about to sink.?

Or, things are about to begin spinning out of control… and God seemed quiet?

Maybe it’s an occupational setback. A medical diagnosis. A relationship you never expected to break.

It’s in those moments we start asking:

“God, where are You?”

“Why is this happening?”

“Am I still in Your will?”

If that’s you today—or if it ever has been—then you need to hear this story from the life of the Apostle Paul in Acts 23. Because it shows us something powerful:

Even when we can’t see Him, God is working behind the scenes.

Let’s jump in—Acts 23:11

Acts 23:11 NKJV

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.”

I. Take Courage: God Sees What You’re Going Through (v. 11)

Can we pause there for a second?

Paul is in Roman custody. He’s just been attacked by a mob at the temple, brought before the Sanhedrin, and nearly torn apart by their division.

He’s probably wondering if he made a mistake coming to Jerusalem in the first place.

He’s alone. Possibly discouraged. And most likely confused.

And it’s in that moment that Jesus appears.

He says, “Be of good cheer.”

Now let’s dig into that phrase for a second.

Greek word: tharsei (θάρσει) – It means “take courage.”

It’s the same word Jesus used in some of the toughest moments in His earthly ministry:

To the paralyzed man in Matthew 9:2.

To the woman with the issue of blood in Matthew 9:22.

To the disciples during the storm in Matthew 14:27.

And again in John 16:33, He says, “In this world you will have trouble. But take courage—I have overcome the world.”

This isn’t a casual “Hang in there, buddy.”

This is a divine command to keep going because Jesus is present.

Application:

When you’re in the dark, when things aren’t making sense, when people are turning against you—God sees you.

He hasn’t forgotten you.

He hasn’t abandoned you.

And He isn’t panicked.

Personal question:

What is one area in your life right now where you need to take courage?

Maybe it’s parenting.

Maybe it’s a health scare.

Maybe you’re facing something at work or in your marriage.

Here’s the truth: Jesus is standing by you—even if you can’t see Him.

Now let’s look at what Jesus says next…

Acts 23:11 NKJV

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.”

II. Trust His Plan: God’s Purpose Will Prevail (v. 11b)

Jesus doesn’t just give Paul a pep talk.

He gives him a promise.

“…for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”

Now, that’s huge.

Because Paul’s been trying to get to Rome for a long time.

Back in Acts 19:21, we’re told that Paul “purposed in the Spirit” to go there.

But everything that’s happened since then makes that dream look dead.

And here’s Jesus, saying:

“Nope. You’re still going. It may not be the way you expected, but I’m not finished with you.”

Application:

God’s calling on your life doesn’t expire just because the road gets rough.

The enemy might try to discourage you.

People might oppose you.

You might even doubt yourself.

But if Jesus says “You must,” then He’s going to make a way.

Encouragement:

You might feel like you’re off track… but God’s still on schedule.

You might feel like it’s too late… but God says the mission continues.

God is not surprised by your setbacks. He’s already woven them into the story He’s writing.

Let’s continue reading…

Acts 23:12–22 NKJV

12 And when it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. 13 Now there were more than forty who had formed this conspiracy. 14 They came to the chief priests and elders, and said, “We have bound ourselves under a great oath that we will eat nothing until we have killed Paul. 15 Now you, therefore, together with the council, suggest to the commander that he be brought down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to make further inquiries concerning him; but we are ready to kill him before he comes near.” 16 So when Paul’s sister’s son heard of their ambush, he went and entered the barracks and told Paul. 17 Then Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, “Take this young man to the commander, for he has something to tell him.” 18 So he took him and brought him to the commander and said, “Paul the prisoner called me to him and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to say to you.” 19 Then the commander took him by the hand, went aside, and asked privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?” 20 And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask that you bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire more fully about him. 21 But do not yield to them, for more than forty of them lie in wait for him, men who have bound themselves by an oath that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him; and now they are ready, waiting for the promise from you.” 22 So the commander let the young man depart, and commanded him, “Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me.”

Don’t give up, but…

III. Stay Alert: God Works Through Ordinary People (vv. 12–22)

This next part of the story reads like a movie plot.

Let’s walk through it:

Verse 12 — Over forty men make a vow not to eat or drink until they’ve assassinated Paul.

These guys aren’t joking. This is a death pact.

They even go to the religious leaders to involve them in the plan!

Talk about religious hypocrisy—these guys are willing to break the sixth commandment in order to protect their religious traditions.

They’re so blinded by hate that they can’t even see how far they’ve drifted from truth.

But then—verse 16 — Paul’s nephew hears about the plan.

We’ve never met this nephew before. We’ll never hear about him again.

But this ordinary, unnamed, probably teenager, just happens to overhear the plot.

He tells Paul.

Paul sends him to the commander.

And the entire assassination attempt is shut down.

Point:

God didn’t use an angel or a vision this time.

He used a kid.

A quiet whisper in a back alley.

An overheard conversation.

And God flips the whole thing around.

Greek Insight:

In verse 16, the word translated “heard” is akousas—it simply means “hearing.”

Nothing flashy. Nothing dramatic. Just a young person who was listening.

Application:

Don’t miss this: God often does His best work behind the scenes through ordinary people.

A teenager who listens.

A Roman soldier who takes action.

A seemingly random conversation at just the right time.

What about you?

Who are the “ordinary” people in your life that God might be using?

Or maybe you’re the one God wants to use—and you think, “But I’m not qualified.”

Listen—if God can use Paul’s nephew, He can use you.

CONCLUSION

Let me tie this all together.

Paul’s life was in danger.

His ministry seemed stalled.

The religious leaders wanted him dead.

And yet—behind it all—God was moving.

He was working in the shadows.

He was orchestrating the timing.

He was using a kid with ears and a Roman commander with courage.

And God’s message to Paul that night is the same message He has for you:

“Take courage. I see you. I’m not done with you. And I’m still in control.”

CALL TO ACTION

Let me leave you with three simple questions:

Where do you need to take courage right now?

What fear or pressure are you facing?

Are you still trusting that God’s purpose for your life will prevail?

Even if it looks like things aren’t going your way?

Will you stay alert and available—like Paul’s nephew—so God can use you in someone else’s story?

a. Maybe the breakthrough someone else needs is going to come through you.

Be of Good Cheer.`