Acts 27:20 “The terrible storm raged for many days, blotting out the sun and the stars, until at last all hope was gone.”
It’s hard not to read this verse and hear psalm 23 in the background or to hear the Israelites crying out in Egypt or to hear the voice of the Christians in Revelation. I wonder what is considered many days? Why is not being able to see the sun and stars an absence of hope? What hope is Paul talking about? Is it the hope of getting to their destination? Is it the hope of not being shipwrecked? What made the storm so terrible? Was losing all hope a relief? Is throwing in the towel a relief? What is God trying to teach us through this story? What does Psalm 23 have to say to this verse? How is this my story today? Where am I in the story? Where do I go from here? As I read the whole chapter of Acts 27 I am amazed at the courage and strength of Paul. I wonder if Paul lost hope? Was it just the others that lost hope? How was Paul the voice of hope in this storm? Paul stands upon the foundation of Christ and proclaims hope even when all hope was gone. Maybe Paul’s hope is different from the worlds; maybe Paul’s hope is never gone; never blotted out; never defeated.
Have you ever experienced a storm that raged for many days; where the sun and stars were blotted out; and all hope was gone? I’ve been there and I’m sure that I will be there again in my life. It’s my story; it’s part of being human. There are times I find myself in the middle of a raging storm and the only question is, “where will the shipwreck be?” There are times when from the outside looking in it seems that all hope is gone. But then I hear Psalm 23 and I am reminded that the God I serve specializes in bringing people through the valley, through the storm, through the shipwreck into a place of green pastures. This is also my story; the promise that green pastures come after the storm; the promise that the storm is not forever; the storm does not have the last say. This gives me great hope; maybe this is the hope that Paul has. Paul knows through experience the truth of Psalm 23 and he stands with courage and proclaims it in spite of the raging storm, clouded sky, hopelessness of the world. I desire to have this courage; I desire for God’s grace to give me the courage to stand tall and proclaim hope through Jesus Christ even when it seems all hope is gone.
Lord Jesus, thank you for giving me a hope that I can believe in. Thank you for giving me a hope that I can give my life to. Thank you for giving me a hope where I can stand with courage and proclaim it to the hopeless world. Thank you for reminding me that the valley doesn’t last forever and that there are green pastures on the horizon even if the storm has clouded my view. Thank you for the promise of hope; I’m so glad it is a promise of hope instead of a promise of safety and comfort. I love you! Amen!!!
I am a person of Hope and my Hope will never fade away!!!
Click here for Crossroads Church!
