Following the Winds of Change
Acts 27:1-26
Have your plans ever been overruled by God? We don’t always like it, do we? But God’s overruling providence is precisely what we need and should want. It is His sovereign will for our lives. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way.” (Psalm 37:23). Not only our steps but the bumps and stops along the way are also from the Lord. We need to receive all of them as from our Father! They are.
We see this in Paul’s life on his many missionary church planting trips. Paul had his heart set on Jerusalem, but God wanted him in Rome! Paul faced some seriously tough winds, currents, people, and situations—all while being right in the middle of God’s will. It will be the same for us. Storms, trials, troubles, and temptations will come to us all.
We can only be a flexible and faith-filled believer if we have a rock-solid foundation in Jesus to count on, rely on, and lean on!
Christians are not immune to difficulties. Often, our maturity, growth, and strength come from enduring hardships. Growth is rarely easy and usually uncomfortable. We can’t learn it quickly or by a smooth sailing life.
John 16:33 (NKJV) “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
Acts 14:21–22 (NKJV) “And when they had preached the gospel to that city & made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, & Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”
2 Timothy 3:12 (NKJV) “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”
Yet, it’s through these trials that we GROW in faith.
We have to be very careful when we are in a state of ease and comfort. When we’re comfortable, we get lazy. We live life on cruise control. We start to think there is no need for the Word of God, prayer, or fellowship. It’s a very dangerous place to be because these are the very things that sustain our spiritual strength.
Listening to God’s voice can be challenging, especially when the world offers conflicting advice. In Acts 27, Paul warns the crew of impending disaster, but they dismiss his counsel. Living a life guided by, led by, and empowered by the Holy Spirit will lead you and me to speak the truth in love. It may not always be appreciated or accepted, but that doesn’t change the fact that we’re to share what God put in our hearts. Sometimes, the truth is, though, and sometimes, we must be shaken. We can tend to stay on a path so long that our lives get into a rut. And if not checked and changed, that rut becomes our ruin!
Change helps with this. It will shift our view of things. Did you catch that? Notice with me how they reacted to the storm in Acts 27. Their first instinct was to save and protect everything. Next, after three days of hardship, they became willing to give up a little. And then, after two weeks, a little more. Finally, they came to a place where they were willing to let go of it all.
God allows these storms in our lives to strip us down to the bare essentials. What’s important to you? Where’s your heart? It’s incredible to watch two people go through the same trial. One will get better and grow in the things of the Lord. The other will grow bitter. One rises to the occasion. The other will be crushed. WHY? Their foundation, their faith, their flexibility with the Lord. God isn’t interested in saving ships. He saves souls! He is interested in you!
There, in the midst of the storm, Jesus ministered encouragement to Paul! He boosted Paul’s confidence in him! And as you seek him, He is faithful to do the same for you. Remember –
His Presence – God is near you right now.
His Possession – You’ve been bought with a price.
His Promises of Deliverance – He said it; believe Him!
His Past Faithfulness – God’s faithful over and over and over again. He will never stop. But….. there’s a shipwreck coming that will bring us to the end of ourselves.
