"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARE IN A STORM"
Acts27: “Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.
Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions, and a prayer:
Paul was on a ship, that was in a violent storm, that actually ended in a shipwreck, but no lives were lost.
God had spoken to Paul earlier and assured him that he would not perish, nor would any of the others on board. And just as things were as bad as they could be, and men were panicking and putting themselves in danger ( as they tried to jump off the ship ) Paul stood up and spoke up and delivered a message to them. He spoke to them because God had spoken to him.
God had spoken to Paul earlier and assured him that he would not perish, nor would any of the others on board. And just as things were as bad as they could be, and men were panicking and putting themselves in danger ( as they tried to jump off the ship ) Paul stood up and spoke up and delivered a message to them. He spoke to them because God had spoken to him.
1. God speaks to us in the midst of storms that's for sure.
Here Paul recounts how God had spoken to him.
Acts 27:23 “For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve,
Acts 27:24 “saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’
Acts 27:23 “For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve,
Acts 27:24 “saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’
At the worst moment in this doomed
voyage as it were, God spoke to Paul. And, gave him very specific words
of instruction and encouragement.
And, it's always been that way with
God's people. One story after another in Scripture attests to this fact.
And, so do the countless testimonies of believers down through the
ages. If you are in a storm, and you are looking to God, He will speak
to You, and He will tell you exactly what to do, or what not to do.
2. God calls us to believe Him in the midst of storms.
Acts 27:24 “saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’
Acts 27:24 “saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’
Please notice what God said to Paul in
the midst of the storm. "Do not be afraid, Paul;" Can you imagine how
fearful it must have been to be in that life threatening situation, a
shipwreck was taking place. Fear would have gripped every heart and mind
with a fierceness. But, God speaks in storms, and He spoke to Paul.
And, God will speak to you if you are in a storm.
Essentially, God will no doubt speak
very similar words to you. He will tell you not to be afraid. He is your
father, and you are His child. Children become afraid, ( and so do
grown men and women ) but, God will comfort you just as fathers do for
their children. He will tell you not to be afraid, and He will also
explain why you don't need to be afraid. Just as he did here. See the
reason that God gave to Paul.
Acts 27:24 “saying, ‘Do not be afraid,
Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you
all those who sail with you.’
3. God's Word to us can be trusted in the midst of a storm.
Acts 27:24 “saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’
Acts 27:24 “saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’
God's Word can be trusted anytime. But
it seems that in a storm, we are more focused on what God is saying,
because we are more aware of our circumstances and the danger ( or what
we think is danger ) associated with our circumstances.
God assured Paul that he was not going
to perish, and that His plans for Paul would come to pass. Paul believed
God's Word in the midst of the storm. And, may God help you also to
believe Him if you are in a storm right now.
Questions:
1. Are you in a storm right now?
2. What has the Lord said to you in the midst of this storm?
3. If you don't think He has spoken to you, will you ask Him to do so?
4. Please be assured that God knows your situation, and He will speak to you.
5. Will you make the decision right now to put your faith completely in what God is going to say to you?
A prayer:
Father, Your Word contains so many records of so many of Your dealings with Your people down through the ages.
And, Your Word fits into our lives so perfectly. Thank You for caring for us so much, to give us clear advice, clear guidance, and unending encouragement through it. Please help us to listen and be doers of Your Word. In Jesus name. Amen.
And, Your Word fits into our lives so perfectly. Thank You for caring for us so much, to give us clear advice, clear guidance, and unending encouragement through it. Please help us to listen and be doers of Your Word. In Jesus name. Amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
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