DON'T WORRY BE HAPPY
ACTS 27:21-26 NKJV
21 But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, "Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. 22 And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, 24 saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.' 25 Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. 26 However, we must run aground on a certain island."
Well, don’t worry be happy was not exactly what Paul said, but it was close.
Paul is talking to the people on a ship in the middle of a massive storm. He does not miss the opportunity to tell them that they should have listened to him. I believe Paul said that not to rub it in but to establish credibility. After all, Paul was a prisoner.
Paul tells these men to take heart. An accurate term would be to take courage. But this is not blind courage. Paul assures them there will be no loss of life. They are going to lose the ship, but everyone will live.
Paul's confidence came from a visitation from an angel of God. And not just any God but the God to whom Paul belonged and served. His words had to inspire hope in men who did not know the living God.
And the presence of the angel had to be a big help to Paul. It was Paul who had a perception that they were going to die on this trip. But God had a plan. Paul had to appear before Ceasar. And because Paul's mission was so important, God granted to Paul the safety of everyone on the ship.
Paul's concluding words were encouraging. Take heart, for I believe God that it will be exactly as it was told me. Paul was able to find courage in a storm because he believed God's message to him.
APPLICATION:
This is an outstanding chapter regarding being led by the Holy Spirit and finding courage in difficult times.
We need to listen to that inner witness. In verse 10, Paul perceived there would be some dangerous times ahead. He did not have control of the dangerous times ahead. He did not have control of the situation. But he did warn those involved.
When the Lord speaks to our heart, we need to believe what He says. It's rare that we will ever see an angel, but God still speaks to us today by His Holy Spirit.
Once we have heard from the Lord, we have a basis for courage because we have a reason to believe.
God got Paul through that awful storm. He can still do the same today.
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You that You still speak. You still communicate with us today by Your word and Your Holy Spirit. You are the basis for courage in the storms of life.