One Way or Another, God’s Word Comes to Pass

And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea. 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. (Acts 27:38-40)

The ship carried 276 passengers, and none of them died, despite the storm raging for two weeks! How did they survive? It wasn’t through navigational skill or engineering know-how; they survived because Paul sought the Lord and received a Word from Him. Once Paul spoke that Word and they accepted it, their situation changed. Although the storm persisted outside, they found peace inside. Those men who thought they were as good as dead, who couldn’t eat for nearly two weeks, suddenly developed an appetite. As they ate, they regained their strength and threw some heavy items overboard to lighten the load on the ship.

Although Paul was a prisoner on this vessel, he was in charge because he had a Word from God. Paul didn’t second-guess what the Lord told him, and we shouldn’t either. He knew in his spirit exactly what to do. He probably didn’t know who could swim and who couldn’t, but he boldly declared God’s promise. He knew one way or another, God’s Word would come to pass, and it did. Those who could swim did—those who couldn’t grabbed pieces of the broken ship and floated to shore.

Practical Application

Don’t let threatening conditions cause you to fear. Instead, step away from the noise, cold, and darkness, and pray. Seek God’s face, and He will respond. When He does, be confident and follow His guidance!

Matthew 14:27; Acts 23:11