In today’s world of turmoil, it is reassuring to read the words of Paul in Acts 27:25: "Be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me" (KJV).
Here, in the midst of an intense storm at sea, Paul expressed his confidence in God. He declared to the crew that no lives would be lost despite the danger of shipwreck. Prior to that, Paul had received a revelation from God through an angel who told him that God would protect the lives of everyone on the ship. Paul anchored his faith on God’s promise and declared it to the crew. True to the promise, none of the crew lost their lives in the storm although the ship was shipwrecked on an island. We can learn a lesson here about the power of God’s promises. Just as God spoke to Paul, He speaks to us through His Word. The Bible is filled with promises of His presence, protection and provision.
In Psalm 46:1, we read, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." This verse reminds us that God is always there for us, especially when we face difficulties and challenges.
In a world that can often feel like a stormy sea, God is our safe harbour. When we are surrounded by chaos, God is our calm. As we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we need not fear, for God is with us – his rod of protection and his staff of guidance comfort us. Even when the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, we can stand firm because we are anchored in the sure and unshakeable foundation of God's love and presence.
often rush to find solutions, seek answers and attempt to control our circumstances with our strength and wisdom. We see this in the passage in Acts 27: in an effort to navigate through the storm, the crew took various measures, including using ropes to undergird the ship, lowering the sea anchor and throwing cargo overboard to lighten the ship. Despite all this, they remained helpless and still lost their sense of direction in the storm.
Psalm 46:10 says, "Be still and know that I am God". In times of trouble, we often rush to find solutions, seek answers and attempt to control our circumstances with our strength and wisdom. Wee see this in the passage in Acts 27: in an effort to navigate through the storm, the crew took various measures, including using ropes to undergird the ship, lowering the sea anchor and throwing cargo overboard to lighten the ship. Despite all this, they remained helpless and still lost their sense of direction in the storm.
Psalm 46:10 calls for us to have a different mindset when dealing with the storms in our lives. It encourages us to pause, reflect and remember that God is sovereign. He is in control. When we become aware of His presence, our hearts quieten, and the fear that torments us is driven away. In our stillness, we find the peace that surpasses all understanding. Someone said it well: Peace is not the absence of trouble but the presence of Christ.
The cheering word in Acts 27:25 is a good reminder that in the darkest moments, when doubts and fears threaten to overwhelm us, we can choose to believe God's promises. It's not about denying the storm's existence but acknowledging that God's promises are greater and more enduring. May our faith be strengthened by trusting in His promises to us, and may we find peace in His presence. As we take God’s promises into our hearts, may we reflect and echo the words of the hymn "Standing on the Promises”:
Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
Through eternal ages let His praises ring,
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God
Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
Listening every moment to the Spirit’s call,
Resting in my Saviour as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.
- Deacon Lee Pak Choon
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