"Since neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing us, from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned." (Acts 27:20, NASB)
"....gradually abandoned", a most disturbing phrase. If it were all at once, perhaps we would be shocked into a recovery mode. But, "gradually," is most deceptive. At first there is hope because of perhaps familiarity, "O, I've been through this before," or, "Well, it doesn't seem that bad." Yet, "gradually," is like a slow spreading disease, one which no one is quite aware of its impending destruction, only to be followed by an, "It's too late."
When a person or nation gets to this point, there is little hope. Yet into this dismal abyss of despair, the Lord Jesus Christ told Paul, "Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you." Then Paul told everyone, Believer and nonbeliever alike, "Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told." By the way, notice the object of Paul's last "missionary journey." Indeed, could it have been the ultimate objective of his service as a Follower of Jesus? "....You must stand before Caesar...", in the Capital of the Empire. All the forces of "nature" and/or humanity cannot thwart the purposes of Jesus Christ in our lives.
I too can say to you today, "....I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told." And what is that which, "I have been told"? You got it: His Words. In life's, "....from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned", you and I must have, "The Words of God." If not, all the positive spin one can put on anything will be absolutely hollow, meaningless gibberish, just like political convention speeches. There is only life-saving power in, "....keep up your courage, men," when the foundation, the "backing," the uttering of those Words is Jesus Himself.
Father, in Jesus' Name, by Your Grace and Mercy I, "keep up...courage...." Amen.
"....gradually abandoned", a most disturbing phrase. If it were all at once, perhaps we would be shocked into a recovery mode. But, "gradually," is most deceptive. At first there is hope because of perhaps familiarity, "O, I've been through this before," or, "Well, it doesn't seem that bad." Yet, "gradually," is like a slow spreading disease, one which no one is quite aware of its impending destruction, only to be followed by an, "It's too late."
When a person or nation gets to this point, there is little hope. Yet into this dismal abyss of despair, the Lord Jesus Christ told Paul, "Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you." Then Paul told everyone, Believer and nonbeliever alike, "Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told." By the way, notice the object of Paul's last "missionary journey." Indeed, could it have been the ultimate objective of his service as a Follower of Jesus? "....You must stand before Caesar...", in the Capital of the Empire. All the forces of "nature" and/or humanity cannot thwart the purposes of Jesus Christ in our lives.
I too can say to you today, "....I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told." And what is that which, "I have been told"? You got it: His Words. In life's, "....from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned", you and I must have, "The Words of God." If not, all the positive spin one can put on anything will be absolutely hollow, meaningless gibberish, just like political convention speeches. There is only life-saving power in, "....keep up your courage, men," when the foundation, the "backing," the uttering of those Words is Jesus Himself.
Father, in Jesus' Name, by Your Grace and Mercy I, "keep up...courage...." Amen.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2
