Daily Devotional for Friday, May 19

God’s Promise

“Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you. And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all,” Acts 27:34, 35.

It is amazing how God created personalities and character traits that are so different from person to person. In any group, we can see these dynamics. Particularly in times of danger or uncertainty, one person rises up to lead, and it may not be who we would expect. He or she keeps calm and rational and helps the group manage the storm.
As Paul, his travel companions, the soldiers and the sailors, two hundred seventy-six souls in all, faced gale force winds on the sea, it was Paul, not the captain, who offered assurance. In truly pastoral fashion, he rallied them to pause and eat since they had worked for fourteen days and had not taken time to eat properly. Their bodies and strength would not endure if they continued like that. Paul assured them, in accordance with God’s promise, they would not lose a single soul. Neither the sea nor starvation and thirst would take any life. But they must stop and eat.
Paul was God’s witness even in this. He gave thanks to God “in presence of them all” (verse 35). He spoke with authority and brought them all into the presence of God with his prayer. Notice the result. They were all of good cheer and joined him in eating. In times of exhaustion, danger, disaster or grief, invoking God’s name brings peace. He is the Master of the wind and the waves, the Creator, the seer of all and the Prince of peace. In terrifying moments, He is the only One to call. The crew, soldiers and travelers were blessed and saved because they had Paul on that ship. God had already promised safety. Not a hair of their heads was harmed.

THOUGHT: In uncertain times, let God speak through you with His peace to those around you.

Kelli Reynolds