ACTS 27 recounts one of my favorite stories of Paul and proclaims a very precious promise of the faithfulness of God, “Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.” Acts 27:25 I have held on to these words for years and they are written on my heart. I have seen these words come true time and time again. It’s always the same outcome, and it is just as He has told me. Paul says, “however”, “this” must happen first.
There would be a shipwreck and they would suffer loss of all, but life. In the midst of no sun shining, no stars giving light, no hope of being saved, a long abstinence from food, Paul received a Word of hope from God. However, he still had to go through the storm. It’s a great lesson for those in comfortable, cushy Christianity and who say, “God would never!”
Yet, God allows times of darkness where you cannot see the sunlight, nor the stars shining, nor do you have food, and you are headed for a shipwreck. He allows men to falsely accuse you and make you out to be a criminal. He allows the storm to beat down and the waves to crash hard. Spurgeon said, “I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages”.
What do you do? First of all, if you are going in the wrong direction, cast your anchors. Stop heading toward destruction. Paul was on another’s ship as prisoner. He didn’t have much choice. But you do, “Cast four anchors and pray for the day”. Cry out to God and wait for a Word. Maybe it will be by His messenger- but more likely it’s through His revealed Word, the Scriptures. Then, hold fast to that Word. It will be just as He says it will be. #runyourrace
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