Dave’s Monday Blast – May 6, 2019
We need a great deal of courage these days. I have a difficult time staying current with world events because much of what is reported is not exactly edifying or encouraging. INTENTIONAL men know that God is in control and so we soldier on, trusting in His promises, but in our humanity it can be discouraging.
In Acts 27, Paul and his shipmates were facing death. Their vessel, driven by a “tempestuous wind, called a northeaster” (v. 14), was in peril of being destroyed and its passengers drowned. The Apostle Paul (a very intentional man) gathered them together and said, “I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only the ship. For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ So take heart men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.” (vv. 22 – 25).
Pastor Jim Denison shares three important facts:
1. God knows who and where we are. When Paul’s ship was caught in the storm and his shipmates had no idea of their location or future, the Lord of the universe knew precisely who and where they were. His angel called Paul by name. He promised that God would sustain him and his fellow passengers. His visitation reminds us that when we do not know what the future holds, we know who holds the future.
2. Our lives are part of a larger purpose. All humans long for our lives to matter today and forever. This impulse is part of God’s design for us, intended to drive us to himself and his perfect plan for us. Just as Paul “must stand before Caesar,” so you and I have something we must do in this life. (Ephesians 2:10)
3. We must Trust God’s plan to experience His provision. Paul could have rejected this angelic revelation. Or he could have been too unsure of its promise to risk sharing it with others. But he testified, “I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.” And he was right!
God knows your name and location this very moment. He has a larger purpose into which your life fits. If you will claim His love and trust His plan, you will be able to choose courageous faith whenever such faith is required. And the world will take note as God will use you to be His hands and feet during difficult times.
According to C.S. Lewis, “Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at its testing point.” How virtuous will you be this day my brothers?
