And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship. And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore. And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves. And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape. But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land: And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land. (Acts 27:39-44)
Today's Morsel: It has been stated that no one cares about the storms you face at sea, what matters is - did you bring the ship into port! Scripture doesn't tell us who the captain of the ship that Paul and the 275 others on board with was. But I'm sure after this experience, he was probably more willing to listen to Paul than to others. Storms of life are going to come. It rains on the just and the unjust, Jesus said (Matthew 5:45). Many ships have been lost at sea due to inexperienced captains. The sea represents the waters of afflictions and the river of depression. Many churches, homes, and families are lost within these waters, because they don't know how to pilot the ship. When afflictions and depression come, you have to learn how to maneuver and ride the waves. You have to learn when to hoist sail and when to lower it. The sail represents your arms. Up gives you speed. Lowering the sail will slow you down. Sometimes in the storm, you may just need to slow down and allow the waves to carry you. Then, on the other hand, you may need the speed to push you forward. But more important than all of this, is that you need to ensure that Jesus is always onboard with you. Even if it seems as though He's sleeping in the hinder part of the boat, He can still calm the storm at your beckoning call. For he said, "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour" (Isaiah 43:2-3). Do you have Him onboard your ship?
Sing: Standing on the promises I cannot fail, when the howling storms of doubt and fear assails, by the living Word of God I shall prevail, Standing on the promises of God.
Standing, standing, standing on the promises of God my Savior; Standing, Standing, I am standing on the promises of God!
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