Withstanding the Storm of Life

Posted on August 17, 2014 by Unknown

Acts 27:21-44

A little context to this story.  First the ship captains had done two things leading to this.  First they were behind schedule and therefore the centurion was worried and anxious.  Second, they took the advice of man over the advice of God and not wanting to harbor for the winter, decided to press on close to the shore. 

In a sense, you might say they brought this store upon themselves.  However, here also is Paul, centered in the will of God, and he is going through this same storm.  Sometimes it is God's will that we weather the storm, for his glory.  We have the promise that is most important.  God is with us and will not forsake us.
JuThere are several reasons that Paul was able to withstand the storm that came.

**1. Rest in the sovereignty of God.**
One of the most amazing attributes of Paul here is that he is able to rest in this storm.  He is not angry at the pilot, or the centurion.  He is suffering because of their unbelief, yet he knows that God is in control of this circumstance, and almighty and all powerful He is.

>Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, "Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. 22 Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. Acts 27:21-22 (ESV)

*Note to that Paul says the only thing that will be lost is the ship. Are we able to know the same thing?  Is our "ship" sometimes the organization and way we do things?  God can save all the people no matter how much the church suffers financial, property or even loss of life.  This is the only thing can sustain those all around the world enduring the destruction of all the things they hold dear.  But God holds us so much more dear that the things of creation that we cling to. 

**2. Remember to Whom you belongs.**
Withstanding the storm remembers that God is the one who holds us.  He is able.  He is our identity and our salvation, not all the things of this world that we hold onto.

**3. Rely on the promises of God's Word.**
Just like the passage we started the service with. Hebrews 6:16-20.  We rely not on our own strength and authority, but on the promises of the God.  And we have hope because we have this written in his Word.  Set down so that we may know that God is "very present help in trouble.". He will "uphold us with His righteous right hand.". Do we believe that?  Paul believed that. 

Praise God!  Raise the shout!

**4. Recognize the storm is God's instrument to reveal and strengthen your faith.**
Sometimes we find ourselves in storm, just so God can work-out our faith muscle.  Storms help us to reveal areas in our life that we are weak and struggling.  He was to mold and make us in to the image of His Son. As Paul wrote, "in my weakness I am strong."

Jeremiah 29:11 - "We have a future and a hope."  Always.. always…

**5. Realize storms give you the opportunity to witness and encourage others.**
Often the storm is what gives us the most powerful vehicle to be a witness and encouragement to others.

Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. - Acts 27:22 (ESV)

Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you." Acts 27:34 (ESV)

And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. 36 Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves.  Acts 27:35-36 (ESV)

Many that day heard the encouragement and saving power of God because of Paul's words.  We are the same, you never know when what we say and do will affect the world around us with the mighty truth and power that is the gospel, the good news of God.

So the question is… Is the Lord on deck and captain of your life?  Maybe you are, but struggling this day… Let us turn one to another, and one to another turn to Christ.

No Response to "Withstanding the Storm of Life"

Leave A Reply

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)