While I was reading ACTS 27 it struck me that it is a man of faith that can stand up in the midst of a storm and speak encouragement into those who are totally absorbed by the storm itself.
How come Paul wasn’t distracted by the storm…he certainly was helping during it – Paul was on deck and observed the sailors trying to escape in the lifeboat. A violent storm like this, lasting several weeks, where the ship is breaking up, it’s all hands on deck!
When the men were below sheltering, Paul addressed them. It wasn’t the ship’s captain. It wasn’t the Centurion. It was God’s appointed leader – a man of faith.
But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Act 27:22
God had made plain His plans for Paul:
Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.” Acts 27:23-26
From this I am reminded that while I am engaged with the flurry of activity around me and the storm at hand, I must also listen to what God has to say during that time.
But the biggest thing is that it is good to have a great relationship with God BEFORE the Storm hits… it is out of relationship with God that I will be able to hear His voice over the din of the storm.
What do you think?