Acts 27:25 “Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told.”
This verse has brought me tremendous comfort.
Situations and circumstances can sometimes seem utterly hopeless. I’m not proud to admit that my wife and I have had all too many arguments over the years, especially in those “tumultuous ten” first years of marriage (as I have lovingly named them). We did not have a saving faith in Christ in those days and our hope was dependent upon ourselves and on who we thought was right. This often led to to hurt feelings, unforgiving hearts, and pointless arguments that lasted for days or even weeks on end. I can remember feeling hopeless, even desperate — ready to give up.
In some ways, I think my hopelessness was similar to the scene from the above verse in Acts. The Apostle Paul was in a storm at sea with 275 others; they were at death’s door. They were a hodgepodge group of prisoners and sailors without hope or a clue of what to do. Paul took the point because he had clearly heard from God. He just flat out said he believed in God and that it would turn out exactly as he had been told. I love that!
Christian, you and I can respond with the same confidence in our world today. We must. Lately, I have been pursuing God, asking Him to examine my heart concerning some of the tough issues I encounter with people. At times, I can feel like a passenger on this ship of life, headed for impending doom. Occasionally, I can simply want to abandon ship, and retreat into my own little cocoon. Whether I am disagreeing with my wife or friends, or engaged in conversations with people with completely different views, faiths, or opinions as mine, I can always cling to the promises of God in times of trouble.
If you know God, then you have heard from God; like the Apostle Paul, we can take up our courage and believe Him that it will turn out exactly as we have been told. Because all the promises of God are “yes” in Christ Jesus, we can always count on God to do what He says He’s going to do! He never goes back on His promises. Be sure to tell everyone you know that our hope rests in Christ!
Riding out the storm,
Mac
Posted in A Word from the Pastor