Riding the Storm Out

(Read Acts 27-28)

A few weeks ago, I paddled out into a very angry ocean. It had been 10 years or longer since I had surfed in anything that big. A massive hurricane out at sea made the ocean swell with power. It wasn’t a difficult paddle and my first wave was a fantastic, really fun, long ride. After about 30 minutes or so, I realized I was alone. At my age, especially in this kind of surf, it’s not something I’m comfortable doing anymore.

It was really big, the backs of the waves were 4′ – 6′ and the face of the wave, the part you ride, was easily 10′. After missing a wave, I turned and saw a set of waves marching from the horizon. Each one was bigger and breaking out further than the one in front. That’s what they do. I barely cleared the first one and realized I would be pulverized by the next. I was. It hit me so hard, it drove me down in the deep water and spun me around like a towel in a washing machine. I have read articles about surfers in Hawaii getting disoriented and losing direction as to where the surface is. Ironically, this thought came to mind while I was spinning around upside down.

So Paul warned them, “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.” But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship.
Acts 27:10-11

The Greek translation could also have meant that Paul “perceived” a disastrous journey. Paul’s warning was more from the knowledge gained by observation rather than from supernatural prediction.

As you may recall, Paul was being sent to Rome to appear in front of Cesar for his supposed crimes. Travel in the first century world was not guaranteed and was anything but predictable or safe. Storms in that region were so intense, many ships were lined with ropes for passengers to have a last grasp thing to hold on to prevent going overboard.

Paul saw all the writing on the wall. He could tell, at the very least, it would be a rough ride. Of course, not everyone listens to sound advice.

When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.
Acts 27:20

While I was turned inside out and being thrashed around in the turbulent Atlantic Ocean, I knew this was potentially serious and maybe even dangerous. My faith and instincts took over. As a seasoned (old) surfer, I knew that in times like this, you don’t fight the ocean. Just like in a rip current, if you fight something that big — you lose. When being tossed about, I relaxed as best I could and waited until I could swim up to the surface to breathe again. I never gave up hope, my faith will never let me do that, but I surrendered until God gave me the opportunity to swim to the top.

Sitting on the beach after this scary experience, I was exhilarated because of that incredible first wave. Not long after, I came to realize that my excitement came mostly from the fact that God held my hand, leading me through in the midst of a storm.

Imagine the feeling of giving up with no hope of being saved? No hope? We require hope to wake up each morning. To carry on. Every single Christ follower I know, has hope. I’m not saying they’re all happy or ignorant of troubles of the world. Happy is a temporary emotion. Hope is a vertical assurance.

Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me 24 and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.”
Acts 27:23-26

Paul went on to reassure the others on his ship that God promised Paul would arrive safely to stand trial in Rome. If God promises, it will happen. Until God is done with us, nothing will stop us. We shouldn’t live in constant fear, because until we have finished doing God’s work we are safe in His protective care.

We should expect shipwrecks and storms in our lives. Doors will be slammed in our face, crevasses will appear, and storms will knock us from the life we expect to be living. Christians should expect difficulties. But if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you can also expect that you will have someone beside you to see you through.

Storms will always come, storms reveal our faith, and storms reposition us. A storm will never leave you in the same place you were before it happened upon you.

Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat.
Acts 27:34-35

Such hope was given from Paul in this passage. He reassured them that they would survive. He reminded them that God cares about the tiniest detail (single hair) of our lives. He showed his fellow passengers how to worship and give thanks to God.

We are anxious and afraid in our storms, but if we look to God, we receive strength and encouragement. God understands all our fears. His Word is manna for our souls in times of darkness and fear.

Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. 4 When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.” But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. 6 The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.
Acts 28:3-6

This curious guy Paul went from being a murderer, Pharisee, zealot, to the greatest thing since sliced bread. They were missing so many things about Paul. Because he was bitten by a venomous snake, meant that he was evil. Because the snake didn’t maim or kill him, that meant he was a god.

Going through storms doesn’t make us evil any more than landing on the other side, makes us saints. Jesus said of His followers, “They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them.” (Mark 16:18). We are strong, resilient, and blessed because we have God with us.

A very close, longtime friend of mine recently endured a 12-hour surgery to remove a lipoma that was entangled with one of the carotid arteries in his neck. As it turned out, there was also a large tumor in that same region. The surgery was complex and intense.

At this time, he is undergoing Occupational therapy for his speech and eating, and PT for the rehab of the rest of his body. We found out that my friend also experienced nerve damage from the surgery that may affect his smile and speech for life.

His family, friends, our Life Group, and my wife and I have been praying fervently for his recovery and comfort. My friend was released from the hospital several days before they originally planned. He’s doing amazingly well and his faith, determination, and resolve is an inspiration to all of us.

God does not always shield us from storms, sometimes He allows us to go through the same things everyone else goes through so we can show others what hope from within the storm looks like. Demonstrating God’s presence from within the storm is more powerful than calling to others from outside the storm.

My friend texted me this recently…
“But, I’m not complaining. So many people have it so much worse than me in this world. Thank you both and your families for all the prayers. My night ICU nurse told me I was literally a healing machine. I just told him that’s because others took it upon themselves to ask God for that.”

“Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”
Acts 28:28

Asking God for help, healing, and comfort, shows we listen.

Key Applications:

1. We may never experience a literal storm at sea, but we will all weather other storms. Are you prepared? How so? Think of your biggest or most painful storm. Were you alone? If you felt alone, pray that God calls you to His loving arms. If you felt God’s presence with you, think about what’s it was like to experience Him in the midst of the storm?
2. If you are going through it now, remember that storms move ships. A ship will not remain stationary throughout a storm — neither will we. Pray for understanding to learn the purpose of this storm in your life. How will you be moved from it?
3. No matter what you’re going through, remember that you are never alone. Surrender, pray, and proclaim Jesus in the midst of doubt. You will be lifted up when you expect or when you least expect it. God knows your fears. Grab His hand.

Where else in your life can you live out the teachings of Christ? Look for next week’s Devotion.