Hope in the Midst of the Storm

Paul along with Luke was on a boat that had encountered a mighty storm. They had tried all means for survival. They had thrown cargo offboard, they had let go of the ships tackle.

They had exhausted all possible efforts.

But verse 20 of Acts 27 records this

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

I wonder if you feel that way today. With Covid disrupting our activities, messing up the economy and causing so much grief and lost, I wonder if you are feeling you are in the midst of a storm now.

Or maybe its not directly related to the pandemic, but you are wondering if there is any way forward in life, anything worth holding on for hope.

We hear of the story of Jesus calming the storm, and we often want the storm to cease. But what do we do when it doesn’t? As I read Acts 27, I realised that God did not still the storm for Paul, instead He gave Paul hope and enabled Paul to live out hope. There is hope in the midst of the storm and here is where we can find it.

Look Up and Let God Assure You of Hope

In verse 23-26 of Acts 27, Paul speaks to all on board. In God’s mysterious providence, God had given a word of assurance that Paul and his ship mates will survive the storm. An angel of the Lord assured Paul of two things: Paul must stand trial before Caesar; and all aboard the ship would be graciously delivered with him.

I believe the first thing we should do when the storm rages around us is to look up and look to God. Let His word assures you. Yes there will be trouble Jesus said, but He also says He has overcome the world.

The anchor for our souls in the midst of the storm is our knowledge and relationship with God. Paul’s word of assurance came with Him declaring that God was a God He belonged to and a God to whom He served.

Paul knew God as one whom he belonged to. Paul knew he was God’s property, and out of this he was certain of God’s care and protection.

Paul also knew God as one whom he served. Paul knew he was serving God and living in line with God’s will, so he is certain God will fulfil His purpose.

Make sure God is the God whom you belong and whom you serve, and then have faith in Him that as you have done your part, He will surely care for you.

Look Around And Practically Bring Hope

But dont just look up and float in the air when the storm is around. Action needs to be paired with faith in God’s promises.

We can also look around and practically bring hope to the people around us.

I recently read a story of a man who bought a watch for a street vendor. The boy did not have enough money to buy a watch and was wearing a paper watch. He teared when the man bought him something as small as a watch. The story moved my heart and helped me restore my hope and know that there is good and light in this very dark world.

Paul on the ship was an encourager, a quick thinking leader and a prayer warrior.

Knowing God’s assurance, he didnt just sit and wait but made good use of his abilities and resources. He urged the men to eat and gained strength. He gave wise counsel. He found such favour with the centurion that his life (as a prisoner) and the lives of the other prisoners were spared.

Friends, the situation around us is not ideal. But look around and see where you can reach out. Look for opportunities to bless, to care, to encourage, and surely hope will rise in you.

Look Ahead and Know that Hope is Unstoppable

I realised that the reason Paul was in the storm was because he was sharing the gospel. The unstoppable hope of the gospel, the hope of the resurrection was what got Paul in the storm, yet it was this same hope that will propel him out of the storm.

Ultimately, when all hope fails, the hope of the gospel it what will sustain us.

SIn causes us separation from God, eternal damnation and death. But Jesus Christ through His death and resurrection brings us forgiveness, life and peace with God. And the hope of the gospel is this, that ‘ whoever believes, trusts and follows Him (Jesus) shall not perish but have eternal life’ (John 3 :16)

This hope tells us that this world is not all that there is, that there will be a new heaven and a new earth one day, with no more suffering ,sin, tears and pain. This hope is foreshadowed by the resurrection of Jesus.

This hope is worth living for.

When Jesus hung on the cross, it seemed like all hope had been lost. The disciples were scattered with questions in their mind. This man who was supposed to save others, now hung on the cross lifeless. The storm and darkness was so real for the disciplee. It seemed like all hope was lost. But hope was unstoppable. And just as God had promised, Jesus rose again, defeating sin and death. The greatest ‘storm’ of death has been conquered by Christ.

So now, in the midst of our storm, we look forward to the day where we will be resurrected like Christ. Living with joy and in God’s presence.

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Look up and let God assure you of hope, look around an practically bring hope, and look ahead and know that hope is unstoppable. I pray you find that hope today!