Be of Good Cheer by MARY MARTIN

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 23, 1874

Be of Good Cheer.

By MARY MARTIN

To whom are these words spoken? and will they apply to God’s commandment-keeping people? In speaking of the rewards to be given, Paul, in Rom. 2:7–10, says, “To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life. But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil; . . . but glory, honor, and peace, to every man that worketh good.” And in Isa. 3:10, 11, we read, “Say ye to the righteous that it shall be well with him; for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him; for the reward of his hands shall be given him.” Surely, then, it is to those who have hope in God’s mercy to whom these words, “be of good cheer,” are addressed.

Do clouds lower, and darkness that may be felt gather about you? Is every star hidden from sight? Have you waited in mute anguish for the light to come? Well, all this you engaged to do when you promised a willingness to “drink of the cup,” and “be baptized with the baptism.” Our Saviour was made “perfect through suffering,” and for what? “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted,” and this precious legacy remains for the child of God. “For unto you it is given in behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake,” with this assurance that he will “after that ye have suffered awhile, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”

It is a lesson that we all need to learn—not that every other heart is filled with happiness while our Heavenly Father for some inexplicable reason sees fit to afflict us. No “he does not afflict willingly,” but all around us are “eyes that are heavy, and hearts that are sad,” and so God leads us in a way that we may know how to sympathize with them, and thus we be a help the one to the other.

When the morning is bright, how eagerly we clasp the hand extended, as he proposes to lead us, saying, “Can ye drink of the cup?” What a precious privilege it seems to be! But as the shadows of Gethsemane deepen, how many a heart answers faintly, if at all, Yes, Lord; and ere the heights to Calvary are scaled, oh! how many take their hand from his, and turn the other way.

It was infinite wisdom, unfathomable love, which constructed the road, and those who have experienced the keenest anguish amid the gloom of that garden, and borne the heaviest cross up the mountain, are the ones who in times of greatest trial can best administer relief; and in this is the wisdom of God manifest. How strange that we should ever murmur—that we should think only of our own sorrows and pass others unheeded by—that we should not trust, and ever “be of good cheer.”

Now, if ever, should the Christian be hopeful and cheerful; for we are almost home. How the eye brightens and the heart beats fast as we near that dearest spot on earth, or even whisper the word softly when far away; but what will be that other home amid the “many mansions”! Never will the stealthy footfall of death cross that threshold, or a living sorrow of even heavier weight cast its shadow there. There will be no secluded apartment where the burdened heart pours out its anguish in tears and groans. Amid all its leafy bowers is not a spot where some one often goes to wrestle with God in prayer. “Fullness of joy” leaves no room for one drop of sorrow to be added. “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

As we turn from the glowing picture inspiration has painted of our future home, we may find much to enjoy, much to be thankful for in the present world. It is with the stern realities of life we have to deal, and here that we must win our right to the glory that is to follow. Surely no place could be better adapted to our wants as a school for discipline, and as we try to “work out our salvation with fear and trembling” our circumstances and surroundings are just what are needed to reveal to us what is in our own hearts while Jesus is pleading for us.

To be “faithful in that which is least,” and to continue patiently in well doing, are the admonitions given. “It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of God.” Let us humbly learn life’s lessons, calmly waiting, “though the vision tarry.” God knows better than we which road is best for us, and if we crossed no desert we should find no oases—if we have no crosses, we need hope for no crown; and amid the darkness of our earthly pilgrimage come these sweet words of consolation, “In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world,” and, “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcome and am set down with my Father in his throne.” MARY MARTIN.