27
Hope in a hopeless situation
Richard WaialealeActs 27:20 (NIV)
20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.
Acts 27:25 (NIV)
25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.
Maintaining our hope in God until the very end. That’s the theme of this chapter. God spoke to Paul about surviving the storm, and he passed on the message of hope to a desperate crew.
I’ve been with people when all hope seems lost and they’ll listen to anything, even Jesus. If that’s what it takes, then learn the lesson from Paul. It was in this desperate time in a storm that Paul spoke to the crew about his confidence in God. The crew would listen and lives were saved.
In the book of Luke (23, Jesus is nailed to the cross with two criminals. One of the criminals scoffed at Jesus, mocking Him, “so you’re the Messiah. Why don’t you save yourself and save us at the same time.” But the other criminal rebukes him for saying that, "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence?
We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."
Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
In the most hopeless of situations, when all hope seems lost - get back to Jesus, recognize Jesus. The criminal recognize Jesus and Jesus says to him, “Today you will be with me in paradise.”
Paul goes back to Jesus, the way, the truth and the life.
Father thank you for your Word gives me the promises for eternal life. I have confidence in You and to point people to You right to the very end I will save and win souls to Jesus. Amen.
