Focus

Prepare yourself to discern what is and what is not of God today. Still yourself so you can hear how God is calling you.

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Read

Acts 27:1-12 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

When it was decided that we were to sail for Italy, they transferred Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort, named Julius. Embarking on a ship of Adramyttium that was about to set sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica. The next day we put in at Sidon; and Julius treated Paul kindly, and allowed him to go to his friends to be cared for. Putting out to sea from there, we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were against us. After we had sailed across the sea that is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra in Lycia. There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship bound for Italy and put us on board. We sailed slowly for a number of days and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, and as the wind was against us, we sailed under the lee of Crete off Salmone. Sailing past it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea.

Since much time had been lost and sailing was now dangerous, because even the Fast had already gone by, Paul advised them, saying, “Sirs, I can see that the voyage will be with danger and much heavy loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said. Since the harbor was not suitable for spending the winter, the majority was in favor of putting to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, where they could spend the winter. It was a harbor of Crete, facing southwest and northwest.

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Reflect

It was determined by the counsel that Paul should go to Rome for God had worked for him to do there. The course he steered and the places he touched were set by God. God encourages those who suffer for him, to trust in him for he can put it into the hearts of those who befriend them. Sailors must make the best of the wind: and so must we all in our passage over the oceans of this world. When the winds are contrary, we must be moving forward as best as we can. Many who are not driven backward by crosswinds, do not get to move forward, sometimes they are helpless or run aground. Christians complain as to the concerns of their souls, that they to keep their ground. Every fair haven is not a safe haven. Many show respect to God but will not take his advice. However, the event in their lives will convince sinners of the vanity of their hopes, and the folly of their conduct.

Those who launch forth on the ocean of this world, with a fair gale, know not what storms they may meet with; and therefore must not take it for granted that they have found their purpose. Let us never expect to be quite safe till we enter heaven. There is no hope of saving ourselves; the only hope is in the word of God and trust that His mercy is great. (1. Matthew Henry Commentary)

I have been reading a book on the great Admiral William F. Halsey and close to the end of the Second World War; Admiral Halsey was commander of the third fleet. They were in position to attack the Japanese in support of General McArthur. A typhoon came upon them and was unable to give the general and his Army the support they needed to invade the island.
Admiral Halsey did not despair over the storm and the losses of men, ships, and planes; he maintained his military barring and his faith in God and his men. The Admiral was able to regroup and meet the demands of support for General McArthur and the mission.

Just when we think everything is going well with us all of a sudden we are kicked in the teeth, so to speak. Our plan our hopes and dreams come tumbling down and we become discouraged, depressed, and angry and that is when evil thoughts come into our midst. We begin thinking, as the world would think not as the spirit of God.

We are now at this writing in a pandemic and the world is on edge. The stock market has plummeted down, people are told to stay home from work, school, and worship. It is a time for action to obey the laws set before us, and to be in constant prayer, for our world, nation, city, family, and church community. We are in a storm but we can prevail, I know the pilot and his name is Jesus. I see the harbor and it’s called the Kingdom of God.

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Pray

Father, like a good parent you protect us.  We give you thanks for your providential care and ask for a deeper faith to trust you in the storm. Amen

Go with God!