Wednesday, September 26, 2018
Acts 27:23-25 Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, "Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.' So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me...."
FAITH IN GOD
In the mid-nineteenth century, three ships were crossing the Atlantic Ocean in September -- "hurricane season" -- bringing families from Germany to the New World. Most of them were farmers, with names like Heldman, Arras, and von Stein. As the three ships approached the American coast, a storm came upon them that threatened disaster.
One ship in particular was in great danger of being dashed to pieces on the rocky cliffs. Most of the passengers were Lutherans, and they were kneeling to pray as the wind howled and the ship tossed. The crew meanwhile were cursing the storm, until little Margaret Arras spoke to them. She told them that her Savior had saved his disciples on the Sea of Galilee, and he could save them also. Amazingly, the sailors listened to the little girl and knelt with the rest of the passengers. Suddenly the ship stopped pitching. No one knew until daylight that the Lord was using a reef to hold them away from the cliffs.
In the morning some people on shore saw them and went out to help. When the company reached shore, they held a service of Thanksgiving, and resolved to do the same every year on that date. And so they did for at least five generations, remembering how God spared even the sailors, giving them another chance to hear about Jesus Christ.
Such was the blessing that God gave the centurion, the ship's captain, the ship's owner, the soldiers, sailors, and other prisoners with Paul. And so does our unchangeable God continue His works and ways today.
