StormsSample

What is True Faith?

Many years ago, I was working in Lake Pontchartrain during a stormy day on a commercial shipping boat… and all of a sudden, our motor broke. We found ourselves stuck in a difficult place for a long time, and the waves were rough. Perhaps worst of all, the only thing we had to drink was Mr. Pibb!

If you’ve ever been stuck in a literal storm before, you know how scary it can be—but perhaps even more difficult are the mental, emotional, spiritual, relational, and financial storms we face in life.

In Acts 27, the Apostle Paul boards a ship headed for Rome… as a prisoner. You see, he was on his way to Rome to stand trial before Ceasar for preaching the Gospel, but he also faced a violent storm, a sudden shipwreck, and a snakebite along the way. Talk about one storm after another!

At a very dark point along the journey, Paul says to everyone aboard the ship with him in verses 22-24, “And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’”

Wow! Here, we see Paul trusted God—even in the face of an intense storm. Paul was assured that though it wouldn’t be easy, God was with him and those on board the ship. He walked in faith and deep trust. Instead of blaming God for the storm, Paul trusted God in the storm. That’s true faith!

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As you engage with God’s Word:

● What is God saying to you?

● What does it mean to you?

● What action step do you need to take?

After you reflect on these questions, bring everything to God in prayer.