We seem to have had our share of Storms recently. The other day during one of the storms, Clarissa, our three year old, was watching a cartoon in the Living Room when a loud clap of thunder rolled. She ran into the other room where I was and wanted me to go into the Living Room with her.
Clarissa wanted me in the room with her because she was scared and took comfort having her Father in there with her. We have many storms in life and not all of them deal with thunder, lightning and rain. If we are honest, we all want to feel our Heavenly Father near us during those storms. Someone has rightly said; “You are either in a Storm right now, You are just coming out of a Storm, or you are about to enter a Storm."
In Acts chapter 27, the Apostle Paul has been arrested for preaching the Gospel of our Lord and he is being placed on a ship with many other prisoners. He is being sent to Rome to stand before Caesar. He was in a storm, but nothing like the storm he was about to encounter.
Lesson #1: Our Heavenly Father will Warn Us of Approaching Storms.
Have you ever heard the Alarm of the National Weather Service? That has to be the most annoying series of beeps mortal man has ever composed. Today Meteorologists and Weather Service Alerts can warn us of approaching weather, In like manner, God warns our heart of approaching spiritual Storms.
In verse 10, Paul has an unsettling in his heart. The Holy Spirit burdens him, takes away his peace concerning the trip. Storms are out of our control, they are going to come. 1 Peter 4:12; “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;”NKJV Storms are coming and God warns us that they will.
Lesson #2 – Our Heavenly Father Will Extend Mercy During the Storm.
The shipmen did not heed to Paul’s warning of the storm and thus they put all 276 onboard in danger. However, God showed mercy even in the midst of the storm to those who messed up.
In verses 21-23, Paul says: “... "Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.
How often do we not heed the warnings of God and find ourselves in the midst of circumstances that could have been potentially avoided? Not all storms can be avoided, but there are times that we face more than we had too due to disobedience and sin.
But even then…
A) God Often Extends Mercy Because We are His Children. (vs. 21-22)
B) God Will Send a Word of Encouragement. (vs. 23)
C) And we must Face the Consequences (vs. 22)
a. “…but only of the ship”
Vs. 38 says they had to throw all the wheat off the ship – their food. And by the time you read through verse 44, you find that the entire ship has been destroyed and the men are swimming to shore and floating on boards.
Our Heavenly Father will Warn us of Approaching Storms, He will Extend Mercy During the Storm and He Will…
Lesson #3 –Teach Us Valuable Principles in the Storm.
The other night when Clarissa wanted me to stay in the Living Room with her because she was afraid of the storm, you know what I did? I did what most every dad does, and I did it without even thinking about it, I began to teach her about storms. Most dads try to find teaching moments in just about every situation. I believe it is engrained in our DNA.
When you and I are in the midst of the Storms of Life, Our Heavenly Father Will teach us Principles that we may not ever learn any other way.
Such as…
A) The Importance of Listening.
a. What do you think those men who did not listen to Paul back in verse 10 were thinking as the ship was being torn apart by the wind and waves?
B) The Value of Trusting Him.
a. You never truly understand “Trust” until your life in on the line.
b. These men had a choice to make when Paul in verse 22 stood up and told them that an Angel of the Lord said no man’s life would be lost. All the circumstances around them said that they were going to die. These men did not see the angel that Paul referred too. To believe Paul was going to take a “Risky Faith.” They were going to have to Trust God.
C) The Necessity of Obedience.
a. What would have happened if they soldiers and ship crew had of obeyed the Word of The Lord? The ship would not have been lost!
b. 1 Sam 15:22: “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,” NKJV
Luke 11:28: “ But He said, "More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" NKJV
John 14:23-24: “ Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me. “ NKJV
