“Since neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing us, from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned.”
Acts 27:20
The context of Acts 27 reveals that the Apostle Paul as a Roman prisoner was being transported by ship across the Mediterranean to Rome. Not many days prior Paul had appealed to Caesar for justice rather than stand trial before the Jews at Jerusalem for crimes he did not commit.
While at sea a violent storm arose causing the ship to be driven aimlessly off course for several days. All two hundred and seventy-six souls on board were losing hope of being saved. Eventually, however, the ship ran aground on the island of Malta.
Interestingly enough, God could have easily chosen to calm the violent storm, but chose rather to calm Paul. In the midst of the raging sea, God sent an angel to bring words of comfort to Paul. The next day Paul, in turn, encouraged all onboard, telling them no loss of life would occur but that only the ship would be lost.
God chose to calm His child rather than the raging storm. How true that is to the Christian walk. In a moment God can grant deliverance from any of life’s storms. Oftentimes, however, He chooses to bring peace, strength and comfort in the midst of the storm. Scott Krippayne in a song put it this way:
Sometimes He calms the storm
With a whispered peace be still
He can settle any sea
But it doesn’t mean He will
Sometimes He holds us close
And lets the wind and waves go wild
Sometimes He calms the storm
And other times He calms His child.
We know from experience that sometimes God doesn’t calm the storms of our lives, but that He gives peace, strength and comfort in the midst of them. He is always with us and He is always faithful to carry us through the storms. Thanks be to God!
Pastor John
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