Daily devotion – Thursday 19th August 2021
Acts 27: 23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, 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.’ 25 Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.
Paul was planning to head to Spain to preach the Gospel, but he was detained in Jerusalem and then imprisoned two years in Caesarea.
Appealing to the imperial court of Rome, Paul was placed aboard a ship sailing to Rome. But on this journey a typhoon hit the vessel resulting in it sinking and Paul swimming to the shore. It was here as he gathered firewood that Paul was then bitten by a poisonous snake – but God kept Paul miraculously. Paul was stranded on the island of Malta for three months.
An amazing story found in Acts 27 -28, how Paul kept his head above water even when his ship was going down. Paul knew how to remain even tempered, though all the elements of frustration clouded over him like a great storm. It appeared as if Paul’s missionary dreams were thwarted!
Paul was imprisoned when he craved freedom and forced into inactivity when he craved action. Paul was eager to reach Rome, but the winds blew against him. He was a man of progress, making no headway it seemed. Paul, wanting to redeem the time, was beached on an obscure island. He was stalled!
In due time however, the sea lanes reopened for the spring, and on February 8, 60, Paul boarded ship for the remainder of his trip to Rome.
As for being frustrated, there was no sign of it in Paul’s life. Paul’s life and ministry were so entrusted to the Lord that he took everything that befell him, both trials, tribulations and even storms, as from God.
Experience had taught the Apostle to trust in the Lord’s providence and to lean on the Lord’s promises. It was during the very height of the earlier tempest, that Paul summarised his philosophy for the terrified sailors aboard his vessel. Paul said, “I belong to God, and I worship Him….cheer up! I am sure that God will do exactly what He promised.”
It was not in ‘due time’ – but in ‘divine time’ – that Paul reached Rome.
His nerves held steady in the storm. His spirit remained patient in delay.
Paul knew how to wait on his God!
Today, may you learn from Paul, God is never in a hurry, He is always on time, and He always fulfils His promises.
He will do in your life that which He did in Paul’s!