Acts 27 I BELIEVE GOD Experiences in life often define a person. Most people are identified not only by their name but also by their occupation. In following the path of Paul in his four journeys, the phrase, "I believe God," characterizes his life and service. From the very first meeting with the Lord Jesus Christ, to the end of his last journey, there was an unmistakable desire on his part to do God's will. The contrast between God's will and man's plans for life is illustrated in his journey to Rome. The goal was Rome. Paul knew he was going to get there because God had told him so. How he would get there and the events on the way were not revealed to Paul. There is no question as to where a child of God is going. When Christ "suffered the Just for the unjust," He did that so He might bring us to God. By God's grace we are brought to Him positionally, and nothing or no one will "pluck" us out of His hands. But the journey home is only described in general terms. The events between when we set sail for heaven, and when we finally get there are hidden from us for the most part until we are experiencing them.
It was a comfort to Paul that Luke and Aristarchus were with him. The daily experience of fellowship with like-minded people has always been a blessing. Whether they were traveling as prisoners is not stated, although Aristarchus was identified as a "fellow-prisoner" in a letter from Paul. Not all believers experience the same things on our homeward journey. I may never fully enter into all the pressures of life, all the emotional and physical stress or all the blessings and disappointments of other saints. But it is possible for me to assist them by bearing burdens for them when I am able and they are known to me. Luke and Aristarchus may not have had the same "care for all the churches" that Paul did, and they did not share the same apostolic responsibilities, but they were there with him day after day. They would hear him speak and could provide for his needs as best they could. They could comfort him by their presence. We may best serve our fellow travelers by sitting with them instead of going off to labor on their behalf. A hymn sung with quiet consideration of the thoughts expressed in the words, and some verses of scripture read well is often the best help we can give a brother or sister in Christ. Earnest prayer on behalf of those who are in need of comfort often provides the needed mercy and grace in the time of need.
Difficulties and dangers on our way home to heaven are to be expected because we are "in the world, but not of the world." So "strangers and pilgrims" are going to be watched from a distance, and their manner of life scrutinized by a skeptical world of people who have made the world their home. Each of the stops Paul made had a certain characteristic to it. In Sidon, Paul's Christian friends provided for him and would give him some encouragement at the beginning of his six-month journey. Soon the winds were against them. There are degrees of opposition in the life of a believer the same as there are in the life of an assembly. Satan's opposition will come in various ways. Sometimes the headwinds are such that we feel we are getting nowhere. Criticism of the way we work and how we preach is inevitable because if the enemy can discourage the servant enough, he will quit the work. Indifference also is a headwind that blows against the enthusiasm of an earnest worker who for weeks, months and maybe even years, has put his efforts into a work that seems to be stalled. Casual compromise by others who we have worked with is a danger because we will think maybe we have been too hard or have expected too much. If we had been more "seeker friendly," more like society around us, we might have been more successful.
What seemed to the casual observer to be finally a relief when the south wind blew softly, was only a deception to turn away the leadership of Paul's party from the reality of what lay ahead. When the sailing is smooth in life and we think finally there will be lasting peace and comfort in our labors, take warning and take earnest care. There will be no lasting peace and rest until we get into our final harbor and the Father's house. We can be calm in the storm, but every storm will not be made calm. Some things we will have to endure for a lifetime. God often draws closer to us at such times rather than in the times when the "south wind" blows softly. The force of the northeast wind soon changed everyone's mind as to the decision to move ahead in spite of Paul's warning. When the affairs of life seem to be out of control, we need to remember that "God know the way that I take." When all seems hopeless to the natural man, the spiritual man remembers the promises of God - not to take us out of the storm or to stop it, but to take us through it. We not be able to see God there, but we know He is there. "Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee." The impact of quiet strength, calmness under pressure, and a person living conscious of the presence of the Lord's presence with him or her, will be seen by those who sought to do things their own way. There will be adverse effects because of all the difficulties and dangers we must pass through in life, but the lasting blessings far out-weigh those negative things.
Before the storm had taken its toll on the ship, Paul had become the undisputed leader of the two hundred seventy-six people on board. We may underestimate the value of a simple statement spoken in faith, but the words, "I believe God," had the effect of changing the attitude of all on that ship in their present danger. The simple act of praying a prayer of thanksgiving for food, encouraged all who were there to put their trust in God alone. It may have been that when God promised to "give thee all that sail with thee," that the whole shipload of people became Christians. We may never know all that will result from the actions of faith in God on the part of one man even in difficult and dangerous circumstances.
It is not in the blush of quiet beauty, where our faith is by others seen As much as when in distress and difficulty, our senses are made more keen To reflect on God's ways of dealing to bring about a promise He made - When temptations and trials are highest, is when our trust in the Lord is stayed.
There is a tendency to wonder when the storms of life are so high - To wonder if the Lord is near, or if for some reason He is passing us by. Then by prayer and reflection through His word His promises we read. And we are assured of His faithfulness that in this trial He will meet our need.
We have not been given a promise that from this difficulty we will escape. But we do have the written assurance that us He will never forsake. There is no way to escape from temptation, but in difficulty what shall we do? He leaves us to be tossed and to struggle, and is with us all the way through.
So if it's fire or water, or flood and tempest so strong - We need to show others by life, and work and attitude and song - That our faith in our God does not waver, in Him we have put our trust. Our confidence in Him is forever, He can do whatever He must.
"I believe God," is our watchword, from that testimony we won't turn aside. "I believe God," means I know Him and in Him is where I abide. "I believe God," is a statement of faith, it means self-will I will lay down. "I believe God," is my testimony to others that His claims I will ever own.
"Father in heaven, it seems like the wind has been blowing more softly this week than last. The occasional flurries and gusts remind me I am not home yet nor am I done with whatever Thou would have me do. I wait upon Thee, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."
Acts 27: 25. “Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.”
I BELIEVE GOD. God has not said there will never be, Problems that arise or stormy sea. were with him. God has not said we will always be, Accepted by men whoever they be. God has not said there will be no pain. God has not said troubles won’t happen again.
What God has promised is that He will never leave Us to be forsaken, or forever to grieve. What God has promised is to lead us aright; What God has promised dark turns to light.
God has not promised a life of success, With bountiful crops: more rather than less. God has not promised He will always bless, Each choice that I make in my busyness. God has not promised to give each wish that I make, Or to always agree with each action I take.
But God has promised that when I chose His way; He will lead and guide me day by day. What God has promised is He will be a Father, When we choose His will as His son or daughter.
God has not said all who hear will believe; When we call on sinners, Christ to receive. God has not said that each new saint will see, Every thing in their life just the same as me. God has not said there will be not dread, As we look at the issues that lie ahead.
But what God has promised is when the valley is dark, He will not leave me alone, but will never part From being with us there when the way seems long; Because He has promised to bring us safe home.
God has not promised I will always know, The reason things happen or even the way I must go. God has not promised He will always show, To me the cause when I am brought down low. God has not promised I will not have to grieve, When the closest to me, some time have to leave.
But God has promised when I submit to Him, He will use me here to be a blessing to men. God has promised: so, for His truth I’ll stand; And along with all saints, He’ll bring us “safe to land.”
“Father, this is a new day with unseen and unknown events to unfold before me. I don’t what the day holds, but I begin with worshipping Thee here in this room. I want to honor Thee in each conversation I hold this day. I want to express to some unbelievers the joy I have in Thee and that they can know if they come to Christ. I pray that when this day is over, there will have been some honor and glory brought to Thee. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”