BELONGING AND BELIEVING

It seems that all around us there are troubling things happening. Whether it’s what’s happening around the world or in your own life, today we’ll discover how to get through the fury of these storms by looking at the example of a man who weathered literal and figurative storms.

There was a ship that launched out of port of Adramyttium, heading for Italy. On board this ship was one of God’s children. Paul was a man and messenger of God. He was held as a prisoner on this ship for preaching the gospel of Christ. He was bound by chains and bound for Rome to testify before Caesar. The voyage began well, but things quickly took a turn for the worse! They had entered into the winter season—the time when sailing was dangerous and deadly. Acts 27:19: “On the third day we threw the ship’s tackle overboard with our own hands. Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.” Here is the rise of Euroclydon—a violent agitation; a killer storm!

In the midst of the storm, God gave the assurance of salvation. Acts 27:21–22, “But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, ‘Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.’” What enabled Paul to have so much courage in the face of Euroclydon? How can we look into the face Euroclydon without fear? There are two things:

#1—HE BELONGED

“For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve....” Paul recognized that He belonged to God! When we know who we belong to, we have peace and assurance. God is bigger than any situation we may face.

#2—HE BELIEVED

Acts 27:24–25, “‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you. Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.’” Do you believe God or do you believe in God? There is a difference! One indicates a head knowledge; the other indicates complete trust and a heart connection. Cultivating this heart connection with God will help us through the small trials—and the big trials.

Paul’s firm trust in God sustained him, and he and all the crew made it safely to shore—not one was lost! No matter who you are, where you are, what you’ve done, or what the circumstance you find yourself in, God gives to us a REVELATION OF HOPE in the midst of our hopelessness. In the midst of our foolish failures, we have a faithful Father! In the midst of our miserable mistakes, we have a mighty Maker! In the midst of the world’s chaos, we have the Prince of peace, King of kindness, God of grace, Lord of love, benevolent Brother! And He can make a way out of no way. He can create a highway in the wilderness, a spring in the desert, water from a dry rock, and He can bring life from the deadly grave! Don’t lose faith and hope! Believe God; trust Him with all your heart and realize WHO you belong to. Let Jesus hold onto you, for He is the one who will bring you safely to the shore of that heavenly kingdom where all will be sweet peace and rest. Aloha and maranatha.