AMID THE STORM

“Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, “Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.” —Acts 27:23, 24

Amid the storm, a seemingly unnecessary additional peril on Paul’s journey to Rome as a prisoner destined to appear in the court of Caesar, an angel not only spoke to Paul but “stood beside” him. God gave Paul a “Do not be afraid” that he could share with the rest of the passengers and crew on that stricken ship, which had been at the mercy of the wind and waves for days by that time. “So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me” (Acts 27:25). Paul told them that the ship would be lost but that they would all survive, particularly if they stayed together. With that reassurance from God, Paul became a leader of the ship, advising the captain and coaching everyone on board through their ordeal. His was a voice of comfort and courage, as well as a voice of experience. In 2 Corinthians 11:25, he reported that he had been shipwrecked on at least two other occasions.

As he stood in front of the passengers and crew of this ship, he had stories to tell about how God had been with him in similar situations in the past.

The risk and rescue that were part of his mission experiences were a source of hope for those traveling with him. For Paul, this was also a reminder that after the storm had passed and they were rescued from the shipwreck, the angel who stood beside him would also be standing beside him when they arrived in Rome, when he spoke at his trial before Caesar, and when he faced whatever would result from that. God was with him—and all who sailed with Him.