Darkness and a Tempest

Daily Devotional for March 18^th

And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us all hope that we should be saved was then taken away. But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. Acts 27:20-21

Living the Christian life daily, you will at some point experience the trial of your life; the one spiritual event that will make you or break you.  None of us should expect to go through life dodging, preventing, and evading troubles.  They will come to all of us; for such is this life.  However, are we to expect the fiercest of storms in the ocean’s of this life, coupled with an atmosphere of darkness? 

Continuing our journey with Paul in this ferocious hurricane, we see not only a great tempest bombarding their ship, but overshadowing them for about two weeks is this ungodly storm that is obsuring their view of the sun.  Friend, just because you cannot see the sun, it does not mean the sun is not their.  Sometimes there are storms that block out the sun from our vision.  Why do I have to endure such tough times that no one else has to endure?  Why does it seem like everything is harder for me?  Why does it seem the storm is more intense to me than what I see of others?  These are all valid questions.  Paul was called of God to carry a glorious message of Jesus Christ.  He had the Word to the Uncircumcision.  His message would be the one that would reach you and I today in this year in which we live. 

Have you considered your calling? You may say I am nothing; why would the devil want to attack me?  Friend it’s not you necessarily; it’s your calling Satan desires to stop.  At times there will be darkness in your life.  It’s the enemies attempt to make you feel forsaken by the Lord.  Darkness on top of a hurricane would make any of us question if the Lord had forsook us.  It is at these times when the majority of Christians turn back.  They throw in the towel or surrender. 

After neither sun nor stars appeared many days, the hurricane winds had not subsided one bit, all hope for survival was taken away.  Have storm winds blew away your hope of survival?  Has darkness covered you so long that you have no hope to see the sun again?  Long times of darkness calls for long abstinence, Paul returned.  In the midst of Paul’s storm, he encouraged everyone on the ship that he had been given a great promise.  What about you?  Where are you today in your storm and darkness?  Has your hope to be saved been taken away?  It’s time to bear down.  It’s time to fix your purpose back on Jesus.  You will survive this storm.  You will fufill God’s purpose in your life.  Don’t let a storm or a few days of darkness deceive you into thinking God has forsaken or forgotten.  For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve…Glory to God in the Highest.