The setting:
Paul, already a prisoner, was being charged by the Jewish authorities as follows:“ We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.” (Acts 24:5-6). Their motive was to silence Paul for claiming the resurrection of Christ and its implications for believers. After a series of hearings before Roman authorities, Paul, as a Roman citizen, claimed the right to be judged by Caesar. At this point, Paul and other prisoners were sent to Rome via ship.
During the voyage to Rome, the ship encountered such a violent storm that all but one—Paul—feared for their lives. Paul spoke these words:
“Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’” Although the ship broke apart, all were saved.
(Acts 27:23-24)
This is what Spurgeon writes of this event:
Tempest and long darkness, coupled with imminent risk of shipwreck, had brought the crew of the vessel into a sad case; one man alone among them remained perfectly calm, and by his word the rest were reassured. Paul was the only man who had heart enough to say, “Sirs, be of good cheer.” There were veteran Roman legionaries on board, and brave old mariners, and yet their poor Jewish prisoner had more spirit than they all. He had a secret Friend who kept his courage up. The Lord Jesus despatched a heavenly messenger to whisper words of consolation in the ear of his faithful servant; therefore he wore a shining countenance, and spake like a man at ease.
If we fear the Lord, we may look for timely interpositions when our case is at its worst. Angels are not kept from us by storms, or hindered by darkness. Seraphs think it no humiliation to visit the poorest of the heavenly family.
Morning and Evening, April 11
WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM THIS?
Looking past Spurgeon’s formal manner of speaking, what do we learn? We learn to listen to comforting and calming words from an angelic messenger sent by God to carry us through the shipwreck times of our lives. Who is this messenger? When will the words come? What will they sound like? We do not know, but faith tells us that they will. They may come in the form of a friend who calls, a written note of concern, a piece of Scripture that is remembered, or a sparkling sunrise.
I picture myself as one of the Roman soldiers onboard the ship with Paul, gripped with fear so great that I could not think. How, then, could I hope to hear the voice of “do not be afraid?” This must be the mystery of faith, for faith alone could open my ears. And the basis of faith is this:
“I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
John 16:33
Here are more words to calm you, a form of a heavenly message:
“Sometimes God calms the storm and sometimes He calms his child.” –John H. Groberg (From The Other Side of Heaven)
My prayer is that you hear the voice of your heavenly messenger and secret friend.
And remember: we are all His child.
You may enjoy this music video based on these words at Sometimes He Calms The Storm movie video at https://youtu.be/9Ti1SULYteI?si=gPRR1FzcuSUrRkvs
Photo credit: By Phillip Medhurst – Photo by Harry Kossuth, FAL, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7606911
