Texts: Deut. 24:5, Eccl. 11:9
This time of year, we hear a lot about “good cheer” and “Christmas cheer” from many sources, including songs, so I thought it would be helpful to consider what the KJ Bible says about cheer: what it is, what it's connected with, and how we can have it and give it to others. I’ll show the definition first, then the second and third together as we consider each reference in scripture and the application(s) thereof.
DEFINITION
The two texts, the first and fourth uses
of it, give us a good idea of what “cheer” is.
Notice in Deut. 24:5 what word follows “cheer”: the word “up.” Now look at Eccl. 11:9, “let thine heart cheer thee…” Cheer has to do with lifting the heart up, or encouraging, rather than bringing it down, or discouraging. Look at the middle of both of those words: courage; root of courage is cour-, or heart, very close to “cheer.” We only need two verses to see what cheer refers to in scripture and in our daily lives.
CONNECTIONS AND APPLICATIONS
“Cheer” and its forms only appear 17 times in the entire Bible, and some references are so related and/or similar that we can group them for consideration.
Deut. 24:5. Transition. First year of marriage is a time of great transition, esp. for the wife. Away from family; learning her husband and how to please him; all new physical relationship they have to learn about together. Man’s physical presence is needed for this cheer; writing isn’t enough.
Judg. 9:13; Zech. 8:19, 9:17. Food and drink. Certain substances God made to promote cheer, including corn and wine (and sugar 😊). He didn’t make any to be abused (1 Cor. 6:12, 7:31) but used (1 Tim. 5:22). How does wine “cheer” God (Judg. 9:13)? I don’t think that it’s referring to Jesus’ consumption of wine (Mt. 11:19, 26:29; Mk. 14:25), which would have cheered him as a man. It could refer to God being cheered by seeing men cheered or…men offering wine to him in sacrifice and pleasing him thereby (Lev. 23:13; Num. 15:5, 7, 10).
Prov. 15:13. Merriment in the heart (mirth). What’s in your heart often shows on your face, and here’s where something good in the heart affects your appearance. If your heart is up on the inside, it will raise your face on the outside. You won’t be frowning (mouth down) but smiling (mouth up). To be cheered is to be up inside, not down, and it spreads to your face eventually.
Eccl. 11:9. Youth. Being young can cheer you, realizing you have strength, and beauty, and likely time to enjoy life, but this verse also warns you not to lose sight that these things will end and, even more importantly, that you will be held accountable for how you spent your youth, good or bad (12:14), so use it wisely. If you don’t know how to use your youth, ask someone older. They’ve had years to look back on their lives and learn from it, and you’d be silly not to ask them. You don’t have to believe everything they say, but take note of it and remember it as you live your life. You’ll have something to draw upon as you face new situations in life.
Mt. 9:2. Forgiveness of sins. Nothing is more discouraging than sin, but hearing from God that he no longer holds your sins against you is one of the greatest “ups” that a human heart can feel. Many songs have been written about the joy that comes when the burden of sin is lifted. I have felt that. Also forgiving and being forgiven by others brings joy: Corrie ten Boom.
Mt. 14:27, Mk. 6:50. Presence of the Lord. When your heart is down, the best thing you can do is seek the presence of the Lord, in the word, in prayer, and among his people. I’ve found all of them able to raise my heart, esp. when I sought all three and not just one of them. Remember: “a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Eccl. 4:12).
John 16:33. Christ’s victory over the world. When it seems like the world has defeated you outside and inside, it’s encouraging to know that our Saviour was not defeated by the world in any way. They hurt his body, but he rose again. They saw God forsake him, but now he’s at his Father’s right hand. What amazing victory, and those of us who trust him as our Saviour share in it. The world cannot bring us down if we don’t let it. Even if they hurt our bodies, they will rise just like Jesus’ did, when he comes for us.
Acts 23:11, 24:10. Opportunities to present the gospel. Paul’s preaching in Jerusalem looked like a failure, but it opened a way for him to preach at Rome (23:11) and to rulers along the way (24:10). How encouraging to a minister!
Acts 27:22, 25, 36. God’s protection in danger. Three times here; most concentrated in scripture. In the WORST of situations (all seemed lost), you can still find cheer from God. David learned this when his wives were kidnapped and his followers wanted to kill him (1 Sam. 30:6).
Rom. 12:8, 2 Cor. 9:7. Giving. Cheerfulness should attend giving; it should be in your heart when you give. It can raise your heart afterward, and the hearts of those you bless. You should give cheerfully because of the promises God makes to givers all through the Bible: that he’ll give them back far more than they give. Jesus assures us, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35), and that’s why: the giver receives more rewards, ironically, than the receiver. Try it!
