Scripture
“For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me , and he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar!’’
Observation
Gale force winds blow, and the sailors are not able to control the ship’s direction. They begin throwing the cargo overboard hoping to save the ship.
After many days, all hope is lost. Paul tells the crew to take courage. Paul says an angel came in the night to assure him that nobody on the ship would die, although they would be shipwrecked.
About midnight on the fourteenth day of the storm, it appears that the ship will be driven onto rocks. Some of the sailors try to abandon the ship, but Paul tells the commanding officer that they will all die unless the sailors stay on board. The soldiers then cut the rope to the lifeboat.
At dawn, they see a likely landing place, but the ship hits rocks. Everyone heads to shore and they all survive.
Application
While everyone was afraid, Paul was at peace. He knew that God was with him, even before the angel gave him the encouraging report.
When we are at the centre of God’s will, we can know peace that the world cannot understand. When we have a mission from the Lord, even the greatest of storms will not pull us down.
There is peace in the presence of the Lord.
Prayer
Thank you Lord for your peace, your shalom. Help me to walk at the centre of your will so that when the storms of life threaten to overcome me, I will not be afraid. Amen.
