When the storms of life descend on us, sometimes our faith turns to doubting. When all looks dark and without hope, what do we hold on to? The apostle Paul went through storms in his life, not only mental and emotional but physical ones as well.
In Acts 27 we have one of the most detailed accounts of a storm at sea from the first century. Historians such as William Ramsey have pointed out the authenticity of what Luke recorded.
“Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. ‘For the last fourteen days,’ he said, ‘you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food – you haven’t eaten anything. Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.’ After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. Altogether there were 276 of us on board. When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea.” (Acts 27:33-38)
Can you imagine being in a storm at sea for two weeks? Having crossed the ocean twice on ocean liners when I was a child, my family and I experienced storms at sea. I can still remember the queasy feeling and the seasickness that came as a result when the ship we were on was being tossed this way and that. You didn’t feel like eating anything. It was such a relief when the storm was gone the next day!
Paul and those with him were on a much smaller ship and the storm lasted for two weeks. No wonder he had to urge them to eat – I’m sure they hadn’t felt like eating with the ship being tossed about by the storm.
Notice Paul’s faith and hope in all of this. “Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head” he told them – but they needed the strength to survive. Where did Paul get this calm assurance to face this storm and to encourage others?
His faith and assurance was because of his trust in God. Earlier he had encouraged them to keep up their courage.
“But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.” (Acts 27:22-25)
You might point out that we aren’t the apostle Paul and should not expect an angel to arrive to give us courage – and that is true. But I would suggest it wasn’t the angel as much as God’s word that gave him courage: he had been told that he would stand trial in Rome before Caesar; for that to happen he had to survive.
We have assurances as well. Remember what Jesus told the apostles before he ascended back to the Father? “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). The first part of that verse emphasized that they were to teach those they immersed to obey what Jesus had taught the apostles. That would include the teaching that Jesus will be with us no matter what we go through.
Jesus will always be with us. We should not lose heart but continue to be strong and faithful – even courageous – and be an encouragement to those around us when they are going through their storms of life.
by Jon Galloway