Shipwrecked

“Many errors have been made in attempts to understand God.” – Millard J. Erickson, Introducing Christian Doctrine

 

Read:  Psalm 23 and Acts 27

 

S.O.A.P.

Scripture – Observation – Application – Prayer

 

S:  “… neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing us, from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned.” Acts 27:20

 

O:  In my Christian Doctrine class this week I am learning the need for correct doctrine.  Why is correct doctrine important?  As the textbook pointed out we often have common distorted understandings about God.  The Bible teaches us that God is both immanent = present and active within His creation, even with non-believers and God is transcendent = He transcends us i.e., His ways are higher than our ways.  But “If we [for example] emphasize immanence too much, we may identify everything that happens as God’s will and working … [and] if we emphasize transcendence too much we may expect God to work miracles at all times, while he may purpose instead to work through our effort.”  (Erickson, Christian Doctrine, pg. 88)

 

These words really gave me something to chew on.  It is so important that we have a correct view of God.  As I read in Acts 27 today I see even more importantly why the correct view of God is important.

 

In today’s world we see things happening like the cyclone this weekend in Fiji or in Paul’s case the storm that shipwrecked his boat while he and the other prisoners and passengers (226 persons in all) were on their way to Caesar.  It was winter and apparently the seas were not cooperating with their plan to sail.  Verse 20 (see above) says that they faced many dark days and they were getting hungry because they would not eat (vs. 33-35) and Paul boldly stands up and tells them basically, “I told you so”.  He said that they should have stayed on the island of Crete as he had previously suggested.  But he goes on to say that ‘even though you didn’t listen to me then, listen to me now’.  Paul then goes on to encourage them, “Keep up your courage!” he says.

 

How long had they been being toss about?  Atleast fourteen days according to verse 27!  Anyone who has ever been seasick knows that 14 days is too long, much less 14 days!

 

 

Paul had however received a message and a promise from God that he would indeed stand before Caesar.  So Paul encouraged them, based on that promise, to take some food and they did.  Finally as dawn was approaching the boat was run into the ground and it broke apart, but using the broken pieces of the boat everyone made it to the shore of the island. 

 

 

A:  What do you do when your life seems tossed about?  What do you do when life seems to be in a wreck?  Where do you go for the courage to go on?  Who encourages you with promises from God?  What are some of the “broken pieces” of your life that have actually saved you?

 

P:  Lord Jesus, I know that I do not understand everything about you.  But one thing I can take hold of is that You are my Shepherd!  You are the One who leads me and guides me.  You are the One who brings me to green pastures to be fed and You are the One who quiets the waters.  Father God, Psalm 23 reminds us that we do not have to be afraid even when things look their darkest and it looks like we are about to be shipwrecked because Your Word encourages us that You are always with us and You will not leave us nor forsake us even on our deathbeds.  Father we have that everlasting promise that one day we will dwell with You forever.  Thank you for those who you bring to encourage us through life’s storms.  God I lift up and pray for those today who are facing storms in their life – either real storms, like those in Fiji, or “storms” or circumstances and illnesses that are causing our lives to not be at rest.  God I pray that whatever we are facing, big or small, that we would cling to You, the Rock of our Salvation!  Help us to know or be reminded of Your promises that we can cling to.  And bring encouragers into our lives that will give us the courage or strength to proceed on and to bring us “good cheer” (euthumeo, vs. 22) even or especially when we can’t see the outcome.  In the Mighty, Saving, Ever-Present Name of Jesus I pray, Amen & Amen.

 

I encourage you to take some time today and think about and comment on the Application Questions above.  I would love to hear your comments and testimonies so that we can encourage each other.  We all face tough situations.  I know some of you reading this have faced hard things like cancer or recent deaths in your families.  Some have dealt with various sickness’ in their own bodies for a long time.  Maybe you are trusting God for the salvation of unbelieving family members or you are facing tough situations with your kids?  There might be some dealing with addictions in your life or in those you love?  How do you deal with those hard life situations and how can you encourage others today with your testimony?  I know it sounds kind of clichéish but let your tests become your testimony for others.  Let your messes become your messages to help others get through their messes!