Paul was given the promise that he would preach God’s word in Rome. However, when he and fellow convicts were on board a ship bound for Rome, they were caught up in a terrible hurricane that lasted two weeks. As a man of God, Paul had sensed and advised the captain of the ship not to set sail at that point in time as the weather would endanger everybody on board. Unfortunately, Paul's wisdom was overruled by the officer responsible for the journey. That led to the trouble with the great storm.
One night, God sent an angel that came and stood by Paul with the message - ‘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.’ (Acts 27:24 NIV). Today God is saying the same thing He has said so many other times in the bible, to us:
"You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" (Matthew 8:26 NIV)
“… do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”. (Isaiah 41:10 NIV)
Whatever God has promised you - whether healing, protection, safety, salvation, deliverance, provision etc. - will surely be done for you, despite the storms you may be experiencing at present.
As it turned out, the following day the ship that Paul was travelling on got wrecked on the shores of a small island, but nobody lost their life, and just as the Angel had promised Paul. As Paul and other prisoners were gathering firewood to warm themselves, Paul was bitten by a poisonous snake and the people on the island began to think he was really an evil man. They thought, how can one escape such a terrible hurricane and shipwreck and end being bitten up by a poisonous snake on arrival to safety? But when Paul shook off the snake from his arm and did not swell up and die as they expected, they changed their statement. They thought No! Paul must be god instead.
As it turned out, Paul was used by God to heal all the sick people on the island and to show them a live testimony of God’s power to protect him from a poisonous snake bite. I am sure Paul powerfully preached the gospel and saved many people on the island.
Finally as promised, Paul reached Rome - his destiny- by another ship.
Friend, don’t be discouraged by the negative things going on in your life. The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made (Psalm 145: 13 NIV bible). It doesn’t matter whether “the officer in charge has overruled you or whether you made the mistake”
All you need is to repent or forgive those who have wronged you and believe again!
Farai Mutsambiwa
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