"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)
Every time I read our text the phrase which stands out the most to me is, "....gradually abandoned." It is sort of like a slow, methodical wearing down of one's life.
There are times when we may go through what some call "seasons." It is not good, however, to play on that precipice of life. We all need to resist that demonic, "....from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned." The, "gradually," is perhaps the most dangerous.
Those of us in Jesus Christ have no reason to abandon, because Jesus never abandons us.
Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray for anyone who may read this and is in such a battle. 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
