ACTS 27 recounts one of my favorite stories of Paul and proclaims a very precious promise of the faithfulness of God in the midst of peril,
“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. Do as God says and no harm would come to any man. 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.
The ship suffered wreck, no property was saved, but all men floated to land safely. Just as God said. 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. What will you do? Spurgeon said, “I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages”.
“Huge waves that would frighten an ordinary swimmer produce a tremendous thrill for the surfer who has ridden them. Let’s apply that to our own circumstances. The things we try to avoid and fight against—tribulation, suffering, and persecution—are the very things that produce abundant joy in us. “We are more than conquerors through Him” “in all these things”; not in spite of them, but in the midst of them. A saint doesn’t know the joy of the Lord in spite of tribulation, but because of it. Paul said, “I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation” (2 Corinthians 7:4).” Oswald Chambers
What will 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. Repent of any wickedness in your heart. It may be you are suffering needlessly. If your heart is pure before Him, just wait. God will send 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 and rejoice in your tribulations. Kiss the wave that throws you against the Rock of salvation. Your faith is being purified and you will come forth as gold. Take heart! Lift up your countenance and do not be down-trodden. God will have the final word and it will be just as He says it will be.
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