Be strong and courageous,
all you who put your hope in the Lord.
Psalm 31:24 (HCSB
Series: Hands and Feet
I was terrified of storms as a child. At the first clap of thunder, I would run to my parents’ bedroom and beg to sleep in their bed, or even on the floor on my mother’s side of the bed. As I snuggled in closely with my parents—or in near them—safety flooded my soul and I could rest, despite the raging storm outside.
Some severe storms threatened tornadoes. With each peril, my parents escorted their brood to the basement to wait out the tempest. Many times, my parents led our family in prayer as the potential devastation pushed through our area. Fortunately, my family has never suffered significant loss from any storm. And in every instance, my parents provided the calm, security, and courage we needed in those moments of terror.
In Acts 27, we learn of a storm threatening the lives of many. Paul, as a prisoner of Rome, boarded a ship with the centurion, soldiers, and other prisoners, and they set sail for Italy. During the voyage, a severe storm raged against them. Just as all hope seemed lost, Paul stood up and said:
“Now I urge you to take courage, because there will be no loss of any of your lives, but only of the ship. For this night an angel of the God I belong to and serve stood by me, and said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar. And, look! God has graciously given you all those who are sailing with you.’Therefore, take courage, men, because I believe God that it will be just the way it was told to me.” (Acts 27:22-25 HCSB)
Paul believed what the angel of God said and trusted God to fulfill those words. He confidently shared that message and his faith in God with all those aboard the ship, and he encouraged them to be courageous. After two weeks of drifting at sea in those terrible storms, the ship finally approached land. Acts 27:33-36 (HCSB) reports:
When it was about daylight, Paul urged them all to take food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have been waiting and going without food, having eaten nothing. Therefore I urge you to take some food. For this has to do with your survival, since none of you will lose a hair from your head.” After he said these things and had taken some bread, he gave thanks to God in the presence of all of them, and when he broke it, he began to eat. They all became encouraged and took food themselves.
Every passenger on that vessel endured hardship and lack during those fourteen days of wayfaring. Imagine the torment, fear, distress, and suffering. Yet, Paul continued to stand firm in faith and speak life to all on board. Once land was in sight, strength would be needed to get to shore. Paul again encouraged the men that no harm would come to them, and then he instructed them to eat. Before eating, Paul offered thanks to God. The men took food and were strengthened in body and in spirit.
As Acts 27 ends, we see everyone safely reach the shore. The angel of God was correct, and Paul was instrumental in the fulfillment of the words from God. He acted upon his faith in God and displayed the hands and feet of Jesus by declaring truth, placing confident trust in God, instructing and encouraging all those with him, and openly expressing gratitude to God.
We may not be taking cover in a basement during a violent thunderstorm or sailing on a ship in squally seas. However, we all experience storms in our lives. Fear, anxiety, and distress flood our souls, while suffering and hardship rage against our flesh. Will we survive? Can we recover? Where will we land? How will we make it? What’s on the other side?
I’m grateful my parents comforted me during storms and taught us kids to approach God in prayer, especially in uncertain times. Further, we can follow Paul’s example as we navigate through these terrifying trials: Believe God. Trust His words, His plan, and His faithfulness. Be confident and courageous in faith. Encourage others. Give thanks to God. And be an example to others in faith and obedience.
May we endure in hope, trust in faith, courageously act, and always give thanks as we navigate through the storms of life with God as our Guide and our Captain.
Holding Fast to Hope,
Maryann
Scripture References: Psalm 31:24; Acts 27:13-44
