“For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship came to me” (Acts 27:23)
Luke the author of Acts recorded Paul’s trip to Rome as a prisoner on a ship. Paul had been arrested in Jerusalem by the Jews there and had been handed over to Roman authorities. That night the Lord stood by Paul and said, "Don't be afraid! You have given your witness for me here in Jerusalem, and you must also do the same in Rome." (Acts 23:11) So Paul knew he would be taken to Rome.
He was taken to Caesarea where Paul was able to share the Gospel with Felix the Governor and his wife. It seems in reading that his time there was short, but Paul was at Caesarea two years before taking his journey to Rome. In the meantime, Porcius Festus succeeded Felix as governor. The Jews were still hounding Paul and bringing accusations against him. He has the opportunity to share the Gospel with Festus, then King Agrippa while in Caesarea. Then Paul appeals to the emperor. That is how he happens to be taken by ship to Rome.
There is a storm at sea. The ship is in danger, but Paul tells the scared crew of brave mariners and veteran Roman legionaries, “But now I beg you, take courage! Not one of you will lose your life; only the ship will be lost. For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship came to me and said, 'Don't be afraid, Paul! You must stand before the Emperor. And God in His goodness to you has spared the lives of all those who are sailing with you.” (Acts 27:22-24)
When we are in God’s Will, no matter how dangerous the situation, we can take comfort in the fact that nothing will happen to us. Paul knew that he had to stand before the emperor. So, he had the assurance that even if the ship was lost, he would be saved. And not only him, but all those with him.
When we’ve been given an assignment, a mission, a dream or a directive from God, no matter the circumstance, if we are following the Lord’s orders, He will protect us. We know that we will accomplish what God has said, therefore we don’t need to fear. The Lord will see to it that His Will is accomplished.
One thing we must remember is that when the Lord speaks to us, it may take years for it to be fulfilled. During that time, we need to persevere and endure every trick of the enemy to detour our mission because the fulfillment is not in our timetable. It is a time of preparation. Now what could the Lord reveal to us to assure us to stay in His Will? It may be that He tells you that you will teach a Sunday School Class, sing in the Worship Team or to be a leader in your church. Whatever it is, it is assurance that it will be fulfilled and even when it looks like all is lost, it is still God’s Will and will be fulfilled. You will go pass the trouble.
The Lord told Habakkuk, “Put it in writing, because it is not yet time for it to come true. But the time is coming quickly, and what I show you will come true. It may seem slow in coming, but wait for it; it will certainly take place, and it will not be delayed.” (Habakkuk 2:3) God’s time is not based on our time. But we have the assurance that it will be fulfilled. Putting the matter in writing, returning to it, meditating on it and praying on it will keep it before you so you don’t forget or begin to doubt God’s Will.
It may be that the Lord will tell you to prepare for something that seems impossible. But nothing is impossible to the Lord. We don’t know God’s ways. And we forget that where God’s Will is concerned, He will fulfill it. “"My thoughts," says the LORD, "are not like yours, and My ways are different from yours. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are My ways and thoughts above yours.” (Isaiah 55:8-9) We sometimes attribute to God human characteristics. But God is far beyond our imagination.
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