Acts 27: ​Pushing Through The Storm

​Is it just me or does it seem like trouble always finds Paul? He regularly ran into sorcerers and other demon possessed individuals, was persecuted almost everywhere he went, had his own words turned against him, had to escape jail as well as various cities, was charged for a crime that had no proof behind it, had several individuals plotting his murder, and after all that he gets caught in a hurricane. But even though there was trouble, God was always right there beside him, turning those bad moments into blessings. Paul was a man of God who knew that as long as he followed God’s plan, everything would be ok.

​If I lived around A.D. 70 I would have wanted to be wherever Paul was. He was truly a man who had God with him wherever he went. Paul was placed on a ship sailing to Italy so that he could stand trail in front of Caesar. While he was on the ship, a huge hurricane came by and for two weeks they were battling the wind and rain. Because an angel came and spoke to Paul while he was sleeping, he knew they would be able to keep all the passengers alive and make it to land safely. Had he not been on that boat, every person on it may have died.

​It is interesting to see how Paul earned the respect of Julius and got all the passengers to follow is directions. He wasn’t a sailor, a soldier, or even a paying passenger, he was a prisoner on his way to stand trial. They were not obligated to listen to him. However, they knew Paul had predicted the very situation they were in (27:10) and knew that with God on his side he could lead them to safety.

​We should all be like Paul, having faith that God is going to see us through to the end. When things seem like they can’t get any worst, lean to God and he will bring you out of those times, making you stronger in your faith as you go. Use every chance you get to win over new believers to Christ. Even when things seemed to get worst, Paul was right there witnessing to everyone around him. Use the moments when you are down to bring someone else up.

With all my love,
Beth