Acts 27:23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, I. PAUL'S CONSOLATIONS. 1. The visit of the angel. Once it would have alarmed him. Rut then he was in the service of the prince of darkness! Now he has changed masters; and he can say of the Father of lights, "Whose I am, and whom I serve." How it must have chased away Paul's weariness to feel that the God of angels cares for me — an angel comes down to keep me company! 2. The assurances of his personal preservation. (1) "Fear not, Paul." It is not for a servant of God to fear! The night may be dark — but "darkness hideth not from Him"; the storm may be fierce — but "He holds the winds in His fists."(2) But what does he add next? Does he say, I am come to fetch you home from all your toils and labours? Nay, "Thou must be brought before Caesar." What a light this casts upon the spirit of the apostle! His immediate desire is, not to escape from toil, but to enter a new sphere for the service of his Lord! His Lord Himself had marked out that new sphere, and nothing can prevent. Your hark may be tossed up and down and go to pieces. For all that — "To Caesar shalt thou go! "Happy apostle! He knew Christ had put a message in his mouth for Caesar — and he is assured he shall live to speak it! 3. The benefit he would confer on others. "And, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee." Hear this, captain! It is not your seamanship that will preserve your life. Hear this, centurion! It is not your uniform that will carry you to Italy in safety — you will owe it to one of the prisoners. There is a servant of God on board this vessel, and he has work to do in Rome. Courage, then, sailor! Be of good cheer in spite of all appearances. You are carrying with you more than Caesar and his fortunes! II. LESSONS FOR CHRIST'S SERVANTS NOW. 1. Are you passing through trial? No strange thing has happened to you. You are only proving yourself of apostolical succession. But do you know nothing of Paul's strong consolations? Jacob had no easy couch at Bethel; but he dreamed of angels of God, and when he woke, he knew that the dream denoted a reality and said, "This is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven." Peter was imprisoned, and yet at midnight an angel of the Lord came upon him. It is not when most at ease in outward circumstances, or in our own souls — nay, sometimes, when most ready to say, "All these things are against me" — that we gain such a view of our Helper, as enables us to say with the prophet, "Greater is He that is for us, than all that are against us." 2. Are you eager for service? God summons all His people to become fellow workers with Him. There is some ignorance we can enlighten, some sorrow we may soothe; and all the talents entrusted to us are intended for this end. Now how do we regard our work? Is it dignity? is it privilege? Or — are we trying to find out how little we can do? The Lord preserve us from the doom of wicked and slothful servants! 3. Why should not you be a blessing to all about you? Well, you say, How little I can do! Do that little and God can make it an instrument of more. In the stormy voyage of the present world, when the wisdom of the wisest and the power of the mightiest are at fault, a poor Christian may have given to him all them that sail with him. (F. Tucker, B. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,WEB: For there stood by me this night an angel, belonging to the God whose I am and whom I serve, |
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