I believe God

Acts 27:25

Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

The harrowing experience that faced Paul on the ship to Rome is described in great detail in this passage. He had stood before Felix a few years earlier, then Festus, then Agrippa, and now, at his request, was headed to Rome to stand before Caesar Augustus. On the way to Rome, the ship encountered a great wind called Euroclydon, which caused great harm to the ship and to their voyage. From the beginning to the end, it was a cheerless voyage, a gloomy trip, a seemingly hopeless undertaking. Paul was with other prisoners being transported to Rome to be tried there, and was being watched and guarded by a centurion. But all the while, Paul was giving advice on what course of action they should take. He advised that they do not loose from Crete, but the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul. And therefore they gained much harm and loss. The more part advised that they sail on, but it was contrary to the apostle’s advice. And it is ever so. Most will listen to the advice and leaning of the crowd rather than the voice of the Lord. Most will hearken to the things spoken by the master and owner of the ship, rather than the things spoken by Paul. They will obey the voice of the world, and not the voice of the Word. They will submit to the clamorous commands of the majority, rather than the silent instruction given by the Lord.

But Paul, after a period of long fasting, tells the men of the ship to “be of good cheer.” Now how could he say such a thing? In the present condition, nothing was cheerful! Everything seems without hope or prospect. Yet he heard from the Lord the night before. He assured the men that the angel of God had spoken to him, “Whose I am, and whom I serve.” And this angel said, “Fear not!” “God hath given thee all them that sail with thee!” Paul was encouraged to be cheerful amidst this interminable night, because God was with him. God stood by Him! God spoke to Him! And, my dear friends, you and I can also be of good cheer! We can rejoice in sorrow! We can triumph in defeat. We can exult in pain and weakness. For the Lord stands with us! And He has told us that He would bring us through! We can be of good cheer.

For I believe God! says the apostle. That it shall be even as it was told me! Never mind how it may seem. Do not concern with how it may look. The prospect may be bleak and the future may seem joyless, hopeless, and dark. But, dear friends, if you will believe God, it shall be even as it was told you. He has said that He would never leave you. He has said that all things would work together for good. He has said that He would comfort, guide, and keep you. He has told you that you have hope in Him, peace in Christ, and joy in the future. What has the Lord told you in a still small voice? Has He stood by you, and spoken in your ear? Has He comforted you internally with His silent voice? Has He shown you that He was present, standing by you through good and bad, thick and thin, and through troubles and triumphs? Has He, with the inner voice of His Holy Spirit, directed you a certain way, and given you comfort of a certain thing? Do not cease believing God! Do not doubt Him now! Do not waver in your faith! Do not forget the light when you are in the dark! For if you will believe God, my friend, it shall be even as it was told you!

“Father, we thank you for the comfort we have received today. May we believe you in every situation, and in each circumstance. May we believe in the dark night of our souls what you have assured us with in the brightness of your presence and in the noonday of our lives. You are standing with us! Remind us of what you have told us. And help us to believe that it shall be even as it was told us. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.”