I Believe God

For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. 

Acts 27:23-25 

Paul had to make it to Rome. God had revealed to him that he would eventually preach Christ in the capital city of the empire. From where he was arrested in Jerusalem to Rome was quite a distance. Ultimately his captors put him on a ship because he, as a Roman citizen, had appealed to Caesar. Thus, they were obliged to transport him. The ship encountered a violent storm that lasted for days, so much that ‘all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.’ It was at this juncture that Paul spoke the words of our text. There are several things worthy of our consideration. The first is that God was going to accomplish His will and fulfill His promise to Paul. He would make it to Rome, despite every adverse circumstance. Beyond that, God had graciously guaranteed Paul that everyone around him on the ship would survive. Third, Paul believed God. His faith was firm in the face of the most fearful conditions. We value these elements of the narrative. We believe God has an overarching plan for us to fulfill His purpose. We believe He will safeguard us until we fulfill that purpose. It is His intention that we should proclaim Christ to all who will hear. What is most important is that we believe God. He will do His will and He will keep His word. 

Great God of Wonders, 
we rejoice that You are as good as Your word. 
We praise You that we have every reason 
to believe You. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning