Photo credit: “It’s Gonna be Quite Alright” by Laurie Search, 2018.
The following is the complete text of a message of January 17, 2021 for Akron Alliance Fellowship Church:
When I was a young child, there were occasions when I would be playing inside the house or outside in the front yard, and I would get a scratch or a scrape of some sort. These are sometimes known as ouchies or boo-boos. When I got a boo-boo, which usually meant I was bleeding, I went to my mother for help, and she would use some Bactine antiseptic (there’s a throwback name for you), and then apply a bandage. The wound would still hurt a little, but she would say something to the effect of, “It’s gonna be alright.” Her words would take a little of the edge from what I was feeling at that time, and sure enough, my boo-boo would feel all better to the point where I would forget all about it.
I can also remember a moment in elementary school where I was in a play and had a role in a song to sing a chorus. It was the big play of the year in our school auditorium before the entire student body. I remember that I was a more than apprehensive when the moment to sing finally come. I had rehearsed this many times, but I was flushed and very nervous. When it was finally time for me to sing, I was able to get through the solo with a loud voice and clear notes. When I finished, I felt nothing but relief! It wasn’t as bad a moment as I thought it would be, and while I never forgot about that experience, I learned that I could actually survive when standing before a group of people. It turned out to be a good overall experience.
Fast forward to today. Our childhood experiences are now dwarfed by our adult experiences. The stresses of life…our work, our families, our children and our daily encounters with others. They can be pleasant, and they can also be, at times, overwhelming. It’s no longer as simple as asking your mother to give you a bandage to fix your ouchie. As adults, we face our stresses in a number of ways, but there always has to be a measure of relief from those stresses. We need to find ways to relax and to get away, and we need to make it happen as often as necessary to keep a balance in your life. How we do this, whether it be getting some rest like taking a nap, listening to soft music or even stopping everything and turning to God in prayer are therapeutic ways to relieve the discomfort you are experiencing.
At the end of the day, we want to come away from the experience where things are much better than they were.
Note that as we get older, this life circumstance never changes. We also know that we live in a world where many things that take place our beyond our control. Our nature is to convince ourselves that we are in control because it gives us a sense of security. In reality, we don’t control anything and we can’t control anything, which means we live under a false sense of security. When we are faced with moments when things are out of control, it is then we lose our balance in life.
Losing our balance leads to moments of fearfulness, anxiety and even depression.
Each of these issues, in varying degrees, if not properly addressed, can become chronic and debilitating.
It all comes back to where we must be encouraged by someone outside of ourselves. We must receive comfort and reassurance—in the best of times and in the worst of times—and the solution is to go directly to Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is the answer to life’s difficulties.
When we seek Jesus, we want the assurance of His presence and to sense His words. His reassurance conveys the essence, “It’s gonna be alright.”
What does Jesus do, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to reveal to us what is needed to counter our stressful situations?
He reveals His own character. In the same way that we have and develop friendships, Jesus shows us more and more of who He is to us and shows us how much of a friend He is. In our relationship with Him, He shows us his character attributes that reflect how much He loves us.
We’re going to draw upon these attributes to reflect upon His goodness as we look to him, have faith in Him and trust in Him.
Isaiah 9:6 NKJV
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
This prophecy of the coming of Jesus Christ reveals to us a number of attributes to His very character, and this is where we can see the importance of looking to Him and understanding His very nature. He is a God of comfort, of grace and cares for you, and He has the capability to always make things right for you.
Let’s look closely at the words that reflect His character:
1. Wonderful.
The word “wonderful” in Hebrew is pele (peh’-leh), which means “a miracle,” a marvelous thing.1 This word is referenced thirteen times in the King James Bible, and it has consistently referred to Jesus, God or His amazing works. He is much more than ordinary. He and His works are extraordinary, and the word “wonderful” captures the essence of His character. It is beyond all human reasoning and understanding.
Matthew 4:23 ESV
And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.
So, Jesus was well spoken as a dynamic teacher and healed people in His midst and even those out of His sight. He is the One who is wonderful.
2. Counselor.
Jesus is always available to have a conversation with you. Your prayerful communication with Him may sometimes include words of encouragement from Him or through someone you may come in contact with, but even without words, the presence of the Holy Spirit brings about a peace that goes beyond our understanding, in much the same way as the wonderfulness of Jesus.
John 14:26 ESV
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
The Holy Spirit, who dwells within every believer, is a representative of Jesus Christ Himself. The great Immanuel is “God with us” (Matthew 1:23), and He is our great Counselor. This is an up-close-and-personal aspect of the character of Jesus.
3. Mighty God.
Our God is an awesome God! We know the words of this song and take them to heart because we know that there are things that have happened in such a way where we can only attribute its success or relief solely and directly to God. Jesus, our Redeemer, is indeed a mighty God who overcame death for us.
Mark 16:6 ESV
And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him.
Hebrews 1:3-4 NIV
3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
Revelation 1:8 ESV
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Deuteronomy 10:17 ESV
For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe.
4. Everlasting Father
Jesus is not going away. He is always present. He is everlasting. He is eternal. The Uncreated Creator. When people fail us and disappear in moments of uncertainty or even tragedy, Jesus promises that He will never leave us and never forsake us.
John 1:1 ESV
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 10:30 ESV
I (Jesus) and the Father are one.”
Colossians 1:16 ESV
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
Ephesians 4:6 ESV
One God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
5. Prince of Peace
Jesus is the One we can go to and find solace in a time of distress and difficulty. He is the One who brings us peace.
John 14:27 ESV
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
John 16:33 ESV
“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.”
Colossians 3:15 ESV
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
Jesus’ character is unassailable. He is our ultimate source of comfort. It is these character attributes that provide the believer with comfort and rest.
Philippians 4:6-7 ESV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
My wife asked me a question as I was preparing this message. She asked me “Why do I love Jesus?” I loved the question because it makes you think about your faith. It makes you contemplate your present relationship with Jesus Christ. I’ve always felt that it is important to examine, and re-examine, your faith in Jesus and make sure that it is as healthy as it can possibly be.
When you are confident in your faith, you are confident in your belief, and as your faith is in none other than Jesus Christ, you are living a life of confidence. No matter what is happening, whether good or bad, you are confident that everything is going to be just fine.
Hebrews 4:15-16 ESV
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in.
How often do you call on the name of Jesus?
Do you call on Him only when things are not going well? Here’s a challenge for you and for all of us. Get more acquainted with the goodness of Jesus Christ and look to Him when things are going well. Let’s be sure to celebrate Jesus in good times and tough times. It will give you greater appreciation as you experience His greatness.
No matter what is happening in today’s world, Jesus reassures you that “it’s going to be alright.” His words are faithful and true, because He is faithful and true (Revelation 19:11).
Jesus reminds us, because He is Wonderful, our trusted Counselor, our mighty God, the everlasting Father and our Prince of peace, that He is who makes everything much better.
With Jesus, it’s always gonna be alright.
© 2021 Melvin Gaines
1 Strong’s Concordance. (2021, January 12). Biblehub.Com. https://biblehub.com/hebrew/6382.htm
Melvin Gaines 