Yesterday I wrote about fear. Fear manifests itself in many ways. It can occur when you look at your wallet or bank balance. It can strike when sickness enters into a life.

Each day I read the news. Ebola, Isis, borders, Israel and more.

Job 1:4-5 His sons used to hold feasts in their homes on their birthdays, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular custom.

I read that and think, despite the fact he was doing the “right thing” at the time, he was operating out of fear. I totally agree that he was doing what religion requested, but somewhere fear got a hook into him. How do I know?

Job 3:24-26 “For my groaning comes at the sight of my food, And my cries pour out like water. “For what I fear comes upon me, And what I dread befalls me. “I am not at ease, nor am I quiet, And I am not at rest, but turmoil comes.”

Now, I should say that I love Job. I get him. I understand him. I, like many others have identified with him at times.

As a people, we have not landed somewhere to stay somewhere. Our identity in Him, with the knowledge of a finished work is not so we can live somewhere (That has already been established) but so we can take God’s “somewhere” to a place not knowledgeable of that somewhere, with peace and joy and power in Him.

This week while at work I seem to have opened the door to folks wanting to ask about God and His ways. Yesterday I was able to take a walk with a young man (Perhaps 30 years old or so.) and it is clear that fear wants to take hold of him and others.

I understand. I will find fear wanting to creep into my life. About family or finances are my “tender” spots. When my home was destroyed and everything evaporated for us, financial security disappeared. I understand.

But as I survey the landscape of the world I know there are two things that live in me that change the picture. One is love and the other is His power to overcome sickness and disease and walk in His “I have already done that.” John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

There is a promise there. Tribulation will come. And a command. Take heart!

That phrase “take heart” means to be of good cheer. It is used 8 times in the New Testament and each time it is used, it implies something done already, as if the one was not aware of what had been done. Sins forgiven, “I have overcome”, “your daughter is healed” and more.

It is time for the people of God to be of “Good Cheer”. I think on multiple levels it has meaning. Let us not be afraid. Let us cheer the good and be “ignorant of evil” not cheering the “bads”. (Maybe we need to develop a good or God cheer. Rah, Rah, Sis Boom Bah, Yay God!!!) Let us allow joy to run “rampant” in our lives. In early Greek the word cheer spoke of countenance. Or have a good countenance.

Today the world needs help. It needs the power and presence of God brought through people. As I prayed for a sorrowful man at work, he said “he felt better”. It is Jesus who brings good cheer.