And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west. And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete. But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive. And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat: Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven. And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship; And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship. And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away. But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship. (Acts 27:12-22)
Today's Morsel: Where do you find hope when your hope is all gone? When it seems as though everything and everyone you have depended upon has turned against you, where do you find hope? Where do you find hope when the spouse that is suppose to be leading you spiritually decides not to serve God anymore? Where do you find hope when you wake up and realize that you don't feel good today and all your joy has seemed to vacate the primaces? Where do you find hope when your doctor gives you a bad report? Where do you find hope when your right now hope is delayed in coming? Solomon said that hope deferred maketh the heart sick (Proverbs 13:12). Luke records in the book of Acts that when they were on their way to Rome they encountered a violate storm, and that when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on them, all hope that they should be saved was then taken away. According to Luke, there was no indication according that any hope of coming through this storm alive was anywhere in sight. Every last bit of hope was gone for them. From the captain of the ship to the lowly slave on board, hope was vanishing fast. But out of nowhere, the apostle Paul cried out, "Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship." Isn't it amazing that the last person that most people look to for hope is the man of God. Even when death takes its hold on a family, people seem to turn to the man of God for hope and comfort as the last resort. Wouldn't it be better to seek him before the storm so that when the storm comes you are built up with hope? There should always be two places you can find and restore your hope. The man of God and the Word of God. The Bible tells us, "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:11-12); and "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope" (Romans 15:4). Friend, all hope isn't lost, so be of good cheer!
Sing: Souls in danger, look above, Jesus completely saves, He will lift you by His love, out of the angry waves. He's the Master of the sea, billows His will obey; He your saviour wants to be- be saved today.
Love lifted me! Love lifted me! When nothing else could help, love lifted me. Love lifted me! Love lifted me! When nothing else could help, love lifted me.
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