Paul and pauses (1)

In Acts 27, Paul was a prisoner on board a ship headed to Rome. At a stop on the journey, God asked Paul to do something incredibly brave: tell the crew not to leave the harbour because there was going to be a terrible storm. Now remember, Paul was their prisoner, so he suspected the crew wouldn't listen to him. He told them and they did ignore him, so off they went into the heart of the storm and (surprise surprise), they ended up shipwrecked.

Paul didn't know what was coming or what would happen if he listened to God. The crew could've done anything; he was completely at their mercy. However, he obeyed God's words, they came true and this led him to a place where he was able to encourage his captors. In Acts 27:21-22 NIV Paul says, 'Men, you should have taken my advice...but now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed.'

Paul could've lost hope when the crew ignored him, but instead he waited on God as he continued to move in the situation. Psalm 37:34 GWT says, 'Wait with hope for the Lord, and follow his path, and he will honour you.' God revealed himself to the crew through Paul's obedience, even though Paul didn't know what was coming or what to expect.



So what now? Despite your personal circumstances, take action. Pray lots, then go with what you think God's saying to you. Watch him guide you.





— SCRIPTURE —

'Men, you should have taken my advice.' Acts 27:21 NIV
— SOULFOOD —

2 Chr 12-15, Mark 5:31-43, Ps 119:57-64, Pro 21:7-9