Acts 27:20-26 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us… After all true religion is not a thing to be sneered at. That which could make a landsman calm and confident in the midst of a storm which overwhelmed the oldest sailors must have been something more than fancy; and that which could make a man talk and act as Paul did must have been something more than blind enthusiasm. Note — I. FAITH'S COMPOSURE IN THE MIDST OF LIFE'S TEMPESTS. "I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me." This after "all hope that we should be saved was taken away." Think of the contrast on board that ship. There were old sailors there; veterans who had fought in the foremost ranks of Rome; merchants who had travelled through many lands; but of all the "two hundred threescore and sixteen souls" there were none who could with composure look this danger in the face, save the prisoner and the one or two Christians who were companions with him in his bonds. He stood alone, amid all that hopeless company, and declared his confidence; and he, who knew the ground of his own composure best, said it was because he believed God. If nautical experience could have inspired such fearlessness, then, surely, the sailors should have been more composed than Paul; and if it had been merely a question of nerve or temperament, then the soldiers, who had dared a thousand deaths, ought certainly to have been as cool as the tentmaker. As it was on board that ship, so it is in the voyage of life. Amidst the surging waters, faith alone can keep us steady. With the sailors we may have much life experience; with the soldiers we may possess a large share of natural courage; with the merchants we may enjoy much wealth and influence; but unless with Paul we can say, "I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me," we shall be the victims of every tempest and the sport of every wave. II. FAITH'S WORK IN THE MIDST OF LIFE'S TEMPEST. One man's faith may be a means of blessing to others. "I believe God," — "wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer!" One chief end of our mission is to seek each other's happiness. How can this be done? Paul did it — 1. By declaring the Word of God! Paul did not begin to calculate and explain the ship's position, neither did he try to weigh the probabilities of escape by this or that procedure; but he assured them, on the strength of what God had spoken, that "not an hair should fall from the head" of any of them. (1) Let the "strong men" in the Church make Paul their example in this particular. "Jonathan arose, and went to David in the wood, and strengthened his hand in God." This is what we want now. (2) Consider, you "fathers," what those words are upon which you have been taught to hope, and, by a repetition of them to the fainting, "Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees." Don't forget that the Church abounds with "little children," and that your word about "Him that is from the beginning" may be a source of comfort to their hearts. (3) Let me remind you "little faiths" of what our God has said. He says, "He that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of His eye." But Paul did not fail to give them both sides of the truth. The ship was to be lost, and he was to "stand before Caesar"! It was not all blessing that the angel predicted. "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." 2. By avowing his own faith. "I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me." Don't profess that which you don't possess; but if you want to do good in the world, don't go about theorising and philosophising as to whether or not God has spoken, or whether or not He is likely to do what He has said! Either be silent altogether, or declare your unbounded faith in God's Word. 3. By setting a good example. To make others happy, you must yourself wear a cheerful face. It is useless to cry, "Be of good cheer," when, to your own soul, you are crying, "Why art thou cast down?" True faith will be detected no sooner by the emphasis of your word than by the genuineness of your smile. "Rejoice in the Lord always!" III. FAITH'S HONOUR IN THE MIDST OF LIFE'S TEMPESTS. What honour faith confers! It makes the child a man, and it makes the man a very giant. When Paul stepped on board that vessel no man was more despised than the great apostle; but when the Euroclydon beat upon the ship, and all hope of being saved was gone, he arose a prince amongst men. Faith made him the master of the ship; and though a prisoner in charge of Julius the centurion, Julius the centurion sought the advice and obeyed the commands of his own captive. And true faith will ever thus assert itself. A ship was on her beam ends in the Atlantic, and all hope was taken away. The captain had warned his men to prepare for death. But there was one clinging to the shrouds who saw no danger, and the praying cabin-boy became the champion of faith in the midst of the tempest. "God will save us yet, sir," said the lad; and, while hanging to the helpless vessel he sought to cheer the crew, his youthful prayers were heard in heaven. Soon after a tremendous sea came rolling on towards them, which they quite expected would carry them down, but, to their astonishment and joy, it so struck them as to "right" the ship, and they continued their voyage, and entered New York in safety. "Them that honour Me I will honour." IV. FAITH'S SUPPORT IN THE MIDST OF LIFE'S TEMPESTS. "There stood by me this night the angel of God," etc. "O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted," read Paul's narrative. What Paul had to comfort him, that every child of God has. 1. Paul was remembered all through the storm. Unbelief often says hard things about God when darkness and tempest for a long time distress. "Zion said, The Lord hath forsaken me," etc. But what saith the Lord? "Can a woman forget her sucking child," etc. 2. Paul was watched all through the storm. Though the sun and the stars had not been able to pierce the storm clouds, the eye that never slumbers had watched over Paul, and the angel of Adria knew just where to find him. "I will guide thee with Mine eye." "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them." 3. Paul was sustained all through the storm. All through that trying time God's word was a source of unspeakable consolation; but that special love visit of the angel raised him to the highest pitch of Christian happiness. And thus God comforts His people by His word still. (W. H. Burton.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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