April 25, 2025

Are you or have you ever been stuck in a situation or a storm that you could not escape from? It may have been an illness, or outside forces that are or were coming against you—things totally out of your control.

This is the predicament that Paul and everyone on the ship in those treacherous waters was experiencing in Acts 27. Paul was the only one on this ship that knew that they would “all” make it to their destination. Paul’s testimony should encourage all of us to not lose heart because of the things we see or hear, and that God remains fully in control of every situation as we trust in Him.

To illustrate, we make plans, but God’s plans for us are greater, have purpose, and His plans refine and strengthen us; make us fit for His use.

This storm that affected Paul and every individual on the ship was described as a “northeaster” in Acts 27:14. A northeaster storm is a deadly, massive, destructive hurricane. We experience storms that vary in degrees of power, but we who serve God Almighty have no need to fear, we have no need to become discouraged. No one was leaving that ship, no matter how badly they wanted to get out of that situation. The soldiers cut the ropes the lifeboat that the prisoners planned to use for their escape. Paul was adamant that everyone would remain on that ship according to the word he received from God.

How have you reacted to your storms? There are instances where we have no other option than to endure the storm, even when there is no escape. God walks with us through our storms, even when we sometimes can’t see him or hear him while he’s at work. He never leaves us alone. On the third day, the men became hopeless, and it became dark. They gave up hope (verses 19 -20). I know that feeling of hopelessness. Ultimately, the ship broke apart into pieces, and they reached safety just as the angel of the Lord had told Paul.

There have been dark days that we have all experienced. Two of my darkest days were when our son, Aaron, passed away in 2002, and when I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. God knows the entire picture to His glory! He has taken all the broken pieces, and He has demonstrated His Divine power so that I know the HE IS GOD! His plans are perfected in our sorrows and in our trials. He refines and transforms us for His use.