After the Storm
The Scriptures below are all taken from Acts 27 in the Passion Translation. The Apostle Paul is sailing to Italy in this chapter.
From there we put out to sea, but because the winds were against us, we made little headway for several days, and with difficulty we made it to Knidus. The strong winds kept us from holding our course, so from there we sailed along the lee of Crete, opposite Cape Salome. Hugging the coast, we struggled on to a place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea. We remained there a long time, until we passed the day of the Jewish fast. Paul advised the frightened sailors that they should not put out to sea in such dangerous weather, saying, “Men, I can see that our voyage would be disastrous for us and bring great loss, not only to our ship and cargo but also to our own lives. We should remain here.” But the officer in charge was persuaded more by the ship’s helmsman and captain[m] than he was by Paul. So the majority decided to put out to sea.
When a gentle south breeze began to blow, they assumed they could make it, so they pulled up anchor and sailed close to Crete. But it wasn’t long before the weather abruptly worsened and a storm of hurricane force called the Nor’ easter tore across the island and blew us out to sea. The sailors weren’t able to turn the ship into the wind, so they gave up and let it be driven by the gale winds. After many days of seeing neither the sun nor the stars, and with the violent storm continuing to rage against us, all hope of ever getting through it alive was abandoned.
The rest all managed to survive by clinging to planks and broken pieces of the ship, so that everyone scrambled to the shore uninjured.
OH BUT AFTER THE STORM!!!
Acts 27 tells us of the storm that would have killed Paul and the others had not God intervened. But instead of killing them, it grew their faith.
Storms can build our faith, if only we will keep our eyes on the Lord through them.
There are some in a turbulent storm today. It is a storm of your mind. Some of you may have put yourself there, and some of you are there because someone else didn’t listen to God. But either way, God is saying today for you to EAT AND GIVE THANKS like Paul did, because your storm is getting ready to run aground and you need your strength.
God has used the storm to draw you closer to him and to throw overboard everything that has held you back and hindered you. So today, give thanks for the storm. Take courage and trust that the things that are intended by the enemy to kill you are in reality making you stronger, more pure, and more refined because of the Lord's great love for you.
There is light and beauty, just ahead. Stay the course.
God will be faithful to deliver you. Always. Your storms serve a higher purpose.
You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.
- Genesis 50:20 (NLT) -
Day by day, I'm learning how to stay In the middle of the storm I'm learning where to lay my head And step by step, I'm learning how to listen In the middle of the noise I will listen for Your still small voice So let the thunder roll And I won't be afraid, 'cause You roll the thunder And let the rain beat hard Upon my roof, and I'll dance to it's rhythm And let the mighty wind Blow between the oak trees As I let You steady me 'Cause You're right here in the whisper Of my heart Breath by breath, I'm learning what You say When You told me I could trust Even when the storm is raging on And song by song, I will sing of your great love While You're singing it back to me With the very voice that calmed the sea So let the thunder roll And I won't be afraid, 'cause You roll the thunder And let the rain beat hard Upon my roof, and I'll dance to it's rhythm And let the mighty wind Blow between the oak trees As I let You steady me 'Cause You're right here in the whisper You're right here So say peace be still To every beat of my heart So say peace be still To every thought in my head I know your voice, and I will listen and obey Every time you call, in the night So let the thunder roll And I won't be afraid, 'cause You roll the thunder And let the rain beat hard Upon my roof, and I'll dance to it's rhythm And let the mighty wind Blow between the oak trees As I let You steady me 'Cause You're right here in the whisper You're right here in the whisper You're right here in the whisper Of my heart
#Jesus #storms #suecline #hopecenterforwomen #newbreedofrecovery #faith #Scripture #gratitude #battles #faithfulness #deliverance