According to the God-ordained structure of marriage and family, the husband submitted to Jesus Christ is given authority and responsibility to teach his wife and children to fear and honour God. When this calling is mixed with pride of the flesh, only disaster can result. In every way possible, I am called as a husband and dad to love and obey God first, and then to lead the rest of my family to do the same - like a shepherd who leads the flock. Men can make the mistake of leaving this responsibility of their ministry to others or treat little lambs roughly as men do cattle: goading and driving oxen into confinement in pens with shouts and loud cracks of a whip. A bruised reed Jesus did not break, and smoking flax He did not quench. Love permeated all His speech and deeds.
It was Joshua who uttered the famous statement in Joshua 24:14-15, "Now therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD!
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And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." For forty years after leaving Egypt, many Israelites carried the dumb idols of their fathers who perished in the wilderness with them. Though many refused to give up their idolatry (Eze. 20:7-9), Joshua made a decision to put away all idolatry from his life, and he was going to fear and serve the LORD only. Recognise he decided to serve God himself first and foremost. He was not going to force on his family what he considered best for them without walking in that upright way himself. As Joshua established his steps in God's honour, he took the initiative to lead the rest of the family to follow his God. It's a fair question: where do I put more emphasis concerning holiness - on "me" or "my house?"
Kids are not stupid. They can sense hypocrisy with the best, their minds discerning right and wrong with legalistic perfection. They know when you have had too much to drink and how that makes you act. They know when you stay up late watching programs you would never allow them to watch. They observe continuously how you spend your time. They know what a priority prayer, Bible reading, and serving at church is to you. Like it or not, we are either leading our families to Jesus through our examples or leading them away from Him. To drive our children to do things for the sake of "because I say so" supplies nothing more than vain tradition. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 says, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!
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You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
6 And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.
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You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
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You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
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You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." This greatest of commands is for all individuals and parents regardless of sex. Parents have the responsibility not just to talk about God, but to live a life where God is our all in all. Children will ultimately go their own way, and when parents follow Jesus faithfully it opens that straight narrow path which leads to eternal life for them to follow.
A life lived for God's glory has far greater weight than mere words. This is where we can go wrong. In our own strength we can lay heavy words on others, and assure ourselves we have done our duty. But our neglect to destroy our own idols and follow Jesus alone gives our hypocritical words a negative effect. "Do as I say, not as I do" is the worst way a man can live I dare say it would better to be an alcoholic, fiercely controlling, verbally abusive, hateful man who curses God and openly denies Him than to claim you fear God whilst refusing to submit to Him fully. Many "churched" children are disillusioned by the hypocrisy of their "Christian" parents who go through the motions of service and devotion but whose hearts and lives are far from God. If you desire to say, "As for me and my house we will serve the LORD," such a claim begins with you alone. If you do not fear, trust, and honour God, you are incapable of rightly leading others to do so. God can use a donkey to speak good sense, but that is no encouragement to act like one.
Follow Christ yourself, and take the initiative to lead others to do the same. Lead as you have been led. Be casting your cares on the LORD because He cares for you. We are called as much as depends on us to live peaceably with all men (Romans 12:18), and this goes for our family members as well. Empowerment of the Holy Spirit enables us to live like our Prince of Peace who always did the will of the Father. Even Jesus had a Judas, and the only way Simon became Peter was by the grace and goodness of God.
09 July 2015
07 July 2015
Taken As You Follow
The Bible is rich with practical examples people who trust in God can identify with. As I read through the book of Amos the other day, I truly identified with the prophet. My call to ministry echoed his own, and God's clear involvement helped Amos stay the course despite hardship. Becoming a pastor and teaching the Bible was never my intended plan for my future, and being a prophet was not the idea of Amos. He said in Amos 7:14-15, "I was no prophet, nor was I a son of a prophet, but I was a sheepbreeder and a tender of sycamore fruit.
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Then the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said to me, 'Go, prophesy to My people Israel.'" The fact neither Amos nor his father had a background in prophetic ministry was strong evidence of the authenticity of God's call upon his life. He didn't start prophesying because he had received professional training, but God singled Amos out for His service.
As a pastor, I am comforted by the fact I never once imagined being a pastor as a child or youth. It was only when I sought an open door to teach apprentices my trade of mechanical insulation I sensed God shutting that door and opening a door to teach His people: "You will preach, and you will be sent." I had already been teaching a Bible study, but a pastor? It seemed incredible and challenging to believe. Now I find myself a minister in Australia, and I know it is God who took me, called me, and will faithfully enable me to do His will. I am not a passive pawn in some divine game, but a beloved son and servant of the Most High. Like a soldier I have enlisted to serve God through faith in Christ, and it is required among stewards they be found faithful. As Joseph said I say humbly, "It is not in me: God will give an answer of peace." God does not need man, yet God freely chooses to use men and women who trust and obey Him.
The call of God is not answered by looking for it or guessing what it could be, but by simply following the flock. I did not draft a "wish list" of what role I would like in the Body of Christ or what gifts I wish to operate in. This is the role of the Holy Spirit, as it is written in 1 Corinthians 12:11, "But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills." Even as God formed the first man from the dust of the ground, He knits each person together in the womb. After being born again God places all people who trust in Christ in the Body of Christ according to His flawless design. You will discover exactly where you fit in the Body as you follow Jesus Christ in the flock of God. Amos was a devout man of God, and his trades were breeding sheep and farming sycamore fruit. As he followed the flock, God took him and called him out of his profession. He put words in the mouth of Amos and placed a burden on his heart to speak, and God used Amos as a prophet - even though he hadn't been trained as a prophet. Walking with God provides the best training, and being filled with the Holy Spirit trumps training by itself.
Too many people sense a call of God upon their life and make a grave error: they leave following the flock of God before God takes them and establishes them in their new role. They know God has called them, and impatiently seek to bring their call to fruition. They want others to recognise their calling too. Many of these people - likely anointed and called of God to minister - eventually leave ministering and return to breeding sheep, farming, working in sales, and back to the tools. There is nothing wrong with being a lay-minister like Paul who supported his ministry through manual labour. But even in prison Paul didn't stop ministering. Ministry ramped up! David was called and anointed as king over a decade before he actually became king. As the oil dripped down his face and soaked his clothes from the prophet Samuel's horn, he knew what it meant. What David didn't know at the time was for years God would permit the mad king Saul to pursue him with only a step between him and death. The LORD took that humble shepherd as he followed the flock, like Amos, and established him as king over all Israel. It will be the same for you and me as well.
Does this mean we all will be given an opportunity to rule? No: today Jesus Christ the KING OF KINGS is the rightful ruler. We are called to take the lowest place, for Jesus provided His followers the example of being the servant of all. Those given authority in ministry must remain under God's authority. Our lives are lived in the confines of time, and one of the great lessons we must learn is God is not in a hurry. Jesus allowed Lazarus to die and be buried instead of rushing to His immediate aid. For forty years Moses lived in Egypt, and then forty more years tended his father-in-law's herds before God took him and used him to deliver the Israelites from bondage. Joseph spent years in an Egyptian prison after being wrongfully accused before he was made second to Pharaoh and save the nation from famine. God allowed David to sleep in caves for years before he lived in a palace. Amos was trained for the ministry while he followed the flock. God called me as a pastor when I had been trained to insulate pipes and worked in the industry for over a decade! Looking back I can say with complete contentment: God knew what He was doing all along. God uses the daily grind to refine our faith.
Leave your role and the timing for your ministry to the LORD. It is all God's ministry, and He redeems the time. He will take you as you follow Jesus Christ, faithfully serving in obedience right where you are. Do you seek great things for yourself? The LORD forbids this (Jer. 45:5). Instead of despising the days of small things in your estimation, today seek to better serve and magnify our great and glorious God! Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.
As a pastor, I am comforted by the fact I never once imagined being a pastor as a child or youth. It was only when I sought an open door to teach apprentices my trade of mechanical insulation I sensed God shutting that door and opening a door to teach His people: "You will preach, and you will be sent." I had already been teaching a Bible study, but a pastor? It seemed incredible and challenging to believe. Now I find myself a minister in Australia, and I know it is God who took me, called me, and will faithfully enable me to do His will. I am not a passive pawn in some divine game, but a beloved son and servant of the Most High. Like a soldier I have enlisted to serve God through faith in Christ, and it is required among stewards they be found faithful. As Joseph said I say humbly, "It is not in me: God will give an answer of peace." God does not need man, yet God freely chooses to use men and women who trust and obey Him.
The call of God is not answered by looking for it or guessing what it could be, but by simply following the flock. I did not draft a "wish list" of what role I would like in the Body of Christ or what gifts I wish to operate in. This is the role of the Holy Spirit, as it is written in 1 Corinthians 12:11, "But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills." Even as God formed the first man from the dust of the ground, He knits each person together in the womb. After being born again God places all people who trust in Christ in the Body of Christ according to His flawless design. You will discover exactly where you fit in the Body as you follow Jesus Christ in the flock of God. Amos was a devout man of God, and his trades were breeding sheep and farming sycamore fruit. As he followed the flock, God took him and called him out of his profession. He put words in the mouth of Amos and placed a burden on his heart to speak, and God used Amos as a prophet - even though he hadn't been trained as a prophet. Walking with God provides the best training, and being filled with the Holy Spirit trumps training by itself.
Too many people sense a call of God upon their life and make a grave error: they leave following the flock of God before God takes them and establishes them in their new role. They know God has called them, and impatiently seek to bring their call to fruition. They want others to recognise their calling too. Many of these people - likely anointed and called of God to minister - eventually leave ministering and return to breeding sheep, farming, working in sales, and back to the tools. There is nothing wrong with being a lay-minister like Paul who supported his ministry through manual labour. But even in prison Paul didn't stop ministering. Ministry ramped up! David was called and anointed as king over a decade before he actually became king. As the oil dripped down his face and soaked his clothes from the prophet Samuel's horn, he knew what it meant. What David didn't know at the time was for years God would permit the mad king Saul to pursue him with only a step between him and death. The LORD took that humble shepherd as he followed the flock, like Amos, and established him as king over all Israel. It will be the same for you and me as well.
Does this mean we all will be given an opportunity to rule? No: today Jesus Christ the KING OF KINGS is the rightful ruler. We are called to take the lowest place, for Jesus provided His followers the example of being the servant of all. Those given authority in ministry must remain under God's authority. Our lives are lived in the confines of time, and one of the great lessons we must learn is God is not in a hurry. Jesus allowed Lazarus to die and be buried instead of rushing to His immediate aid. For forty years Moses lived in Egypt, and then forty more years tended his father-in-law's herds before God took him and used him to deliver the Israelites from bondage. Joseph spent years in an Egyptian prison after being wrongfully accused before he was made second to Pharaoh and save the nation from famine. God allowed David to sleep in caves for years before he lived in a palace. Amos was trained for the ministry while he followed the flock. God called me as a pastor when I had been trained to insulate pipes and worked in the industry for over a decade! Looking back I can say with complete contentment: God knew what He was doing all along. God uses the daily grind to refine our faith.
Leave your role and the timing for your ministry to the LORD. It is all God's ministry, and He redeems the time. He will take you as you follow Jesus Christ, faithfully serving in obedience right where you are. Do you seek great things for yourself? The LORD forbids this (Jer. 45:5). Instead of despising the days of small things in your estimation, today seek to better serve and magnify our great and glorious God! Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.
05 July 2015
A Divided Heart
During my recent trip to Cambodia, there was no shortage of images and idolatry. Temples, shrines, and monks were commonplace. The smell of burning incense was strong in shops, hotel lobbies, and restaurants. The worship of anything other than the Living God from a biblical perspective is idolatry, and it is endemic to all people. Idols in Cambodia can be pasted on the walls or be given an offering of food, but idols in western societies can be a woman who can sing, a man who is in our favourite band, or scores touchdowns on Sunday. Idolatry is rife even in the hearts of those who profess to trust and love God. A prime example is seen in God's chosen people.
It was unlawful for the Jews under the Law of Moses to represent God with engravings or with a moulded representation of a human body, of mammals, fish, birds, or creeping thing, for it would provide a temptation to worship the works of men's hands (Deut. 4:16-18). God is a Spirit, and must not be represented by anything created by Him or fashioned by men. Even with the Law and sacrifice, the days of the judges was marked by a recurring phrase: "Every man did what was right in his own eyes." This too is idolatry: the love of self. Self-seeking, self-esteem, and self-focus can be blights even in Christians. That is why we must repent and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God, being faithful disciples and making disciples of Jesus Christ.
What makes idolatry so sinister is it can be most subtle. It is perfectly natural for us to consider ourselves in making common decisions. Israel was blessed and fruitful, yet their abundance led to increased idolatry. They more God gave them, the less they trusted Him. The LORD spoke through the prophet in Hosea 10:1-2: "Israel empties his vine; he brings forth fruit for himself. According to the multitude of his fruit He has increased the altars; according to the bounty of his land they have embellished his sacred pillars. 2 Their heart is divided; now they are held guilty. He will break down their altars; He will ruin their sacred pillars." Israel did not bring fruit unto the LORD, but for himself. God was robbed of tithes and offerings. Sacrifices continued to be offered to God and also to the hosts of heaven. But this was only evidence of a deeper issue: one of a divided heart. Idolatry produces a divided heart! Part of the heart is loyal towards God, yet the affections and desires of the heart seek after other things. Those guilty of a divided heart may have the appearance of outward piety, but are guilty of idolatry before God.
Do you have a divided heart? Make the profession of Psalm 86:6-11 your prayer: "Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. 7 In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, for You will answer me. 8 Among the gods there is none like You, O Lord; nor are there any works like Your works. 9 All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and shall glorify Your name. 10 For You are great, and do wondrous things; You alone are God. 11 Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name." May God's people have a united heart to fear and worship Him in truth always.
It was unlawful for the Jews under the Law of Moses to represent God with engravings or with a moulded representation of a human body, of mammals, fish, birds, or creeping thing, for it would provide a temptation to worship the works of men's hands (Deut. 4:16-18). God is a Spirit, and must not be represented by anything created by Him or fashioned by men. Even with the Law and sacrifice, the days of the judges was marked by a recurring phrase: "Every man did what was right in his own eyes." This too is idolatry: the love of self. Self-seeking, self-esteem, and self-focus can be blights even in Christians. That is why we must repent and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God, being faithful disciples and making disciples of Jesus Christ.
What makes idolatry so sinister is it can be most subtle. It is perfectly natural for us to consider ourselves in making common decisions. Israel was blessed and fruitful, yet their abundance led to increased idolatry. They more God gave them, the less they trusted Him. The LORD spoke through the prophet in Hosea 10:1-2: "Israel empties his vine; he brings forth fruit for himself. According to the multitude of his fruit He has increased the altars; according to the bounty of his land they have embellished his sacred pillars. 2 Their heart is divided; now they are held guilty. He will break down their altars; He will ruin their sacred pillars." Israel did not bring fruit unto the LORD, but for himself. God was robbed of tithes and offerings. Sacrifices continued to be offered to God and also to the hosts of heaven. But this was only evidence of a deeper issue: one of a divided heart. Idolatry produces a divided heart! Part of the heart is loyal towards God, yet the affections and desires of the heart seek after other things. Those guilty of a divided heart may have the appearance of outward piety, but are guilty of idolatry before God.
Do you have a divided heart? Make the profession of Psalm 86:6-11 your prayer: "Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. 7 In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, for You will answer me. 8 Among the gods there is none like You, O Lord; nor are there any works like Your works. 9 All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and shall glorify Your name. 10 For You are great, and do wondrous things; You alone are God. 11 Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name." May God's people have a united heart to fear and worship Him in truth always.
03 July 2015
Salvation By Shipwreck
Faith in God is demonstrated through trust and obedience. Even when the circumstances of life seem to dictate more sensible courses of action than faith in God, trusting and obeying God no matter what are keys to comfort, rest, and salvation. God never works in the way we might predict, for the ways of God are infinitely higher than those of men. We might have an idea of what God is doing or what we might want Him to do, but God's judgments are not based on our shortsighted, often selfish perspectives. For God's people all situations are worked out for our good.
The Bible is filled with demonstrations of faith by God's people. God allows us to experience troubles, trials, and temptations so our faith and character might be refined as gold. The book of Acts describes a situation when trust in the word of God contradicted men's best ideas or efforts for self preservation. Paul had been arrested and was being transported by ship along with two hundred and seventy-five other men which was comprised of fellow prisoners, guards, and crew. It was a risky time for sailing, but the helmsmen convinced the centurion they could reach a harbour in Crete. Shortly after their departure, they were caught in a great tempest. The crew and men did everything possible to survive.
Acts 27:16-20 reads, "And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty. 17 When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis Sands, they struck sail and so were driven. 18 And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. 19 On the third day we threw the ship's tackle overboard with our own hands. 20 Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up." The men did everything possible to save themselves. They secured the skiff, undergirded the ship, struck sail to avoid running aground, lightened the ship, and finally threw all the tackle overboard. All hope of being saved was finally given up. Yet when there appeared no physical hope or help, God spoke to Paul who in turn proclaimed it to the men on board.
During his address Paul said in Acts 27:22-27, "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." Paul urged the men to take heart because God had spoken to him, and promised there would be no loss of life - but only the ship. When there was no hope an angel spoke to Paul and said, "Do not be afraid." Without a shred of physical evidence beyond the word of God Paul took heart, believing that all would be exactly as God said: the ship would be destroyed, but all would be saved.
Not everyone was keen to take God at His word. They wanted to avoid running aground so they continued to take soundings to gauge depth. As the depth gradually reduced and their fear of running aground seemed likely, some of the crew secretly decided to take matters into their own hands. Their own efforts had been useless to that point, but were unwilling to remain on the ship despite God's promise. Can't we do the exact same thing? While pretending to let down the anchors, they lowed the skiff from the side. Acts 27:31 says, "Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved." For God's word to be confirmed, all those on board needed to meet God's conditions: stay on the ship until it runs aground, and then all will be saved. Should some leave in disobedience, they would jeopardise their own lives and even the centurion who remained on board.
The passage concludes the next day in Acts 27:40-44: "And they let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore. 41 But striking a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves. 42 And the soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape. 43 But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, 44 and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land." What the passengers feared most God allowed to happen to them, yet trust in God's Word brought salvation: all escaped safely to land. God did not withhold violent waves from tearing the ship into pieces, nor did He preserve the ship. When all hope was lost, God provided hope through shipwreck.
The disciples were shattered and afraid when Jesus Christ died on the cross. All hope seemed lost. Yet Satan's apparent victory was no defeat for God, for Jesus Christ rose from the grave immortal and glorified as He said. It was in His death and resurrection all can have salvation and life. It is in our dying to self - in losing our lives for the sake of Jesus - that we find everlasting life, love, salvation, and indescribable joy. Do not fear the shipwrecks or trials by fire God allows in your life, for it is in the tempest or the furnace of affliction God will meet with you, speak comfort to you, and provide hope for you and others. When all hope is lost, do not lose heart. Those who trust God and His Word will never be put to shame.
The Bible is filled with demonstrations of faith by God's people. God allows us to experience troubles, trials, and temptations so our faith and character might be refined as gold. The book of Acts describes a situation when trust in the word of God contradicted men's best ideas or efforts for self preservation. Paul had been arrested and was being transported by ship along with two hundred and seventy-five other men which was comprised of fellow prisoners, guards, and crew. It was a risky time for sailing, but the helmsmen convinced the centurion they could reach a harbour in Crete. Shortly after their departure, they were caught in a great tempest. The crew and men did everything possible to survive.
Acts 27:16-20 reads, "And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty. 17 When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis Sands, they struck sail and so were driven. 18 And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. 19 On the third day we threw the ship's tackle overboard with our own hands. 20 Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up." The men did everything possible to save themselves. They secured the skiff, undergirded the ship, struck sail to avoid running aground, lightened the ship, and finally threw all the tackle overboard. All hope of being saved was finally given up. Yet when there appeared no physical hope or help, God spoke to Paul who in turn proclaimed it to the men on board.
During his address Paul said in Acts 27:22-27, "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." Paul urged the men to take heart because God had spoken to him, and promised there would be no loss of life - but only the ship. When there was no hope an angel spoke to Paul and said, "Do not be afraid." Without a shred of physical evidence beyond the word of God Paul took heart, believing that all would be exactly as God said: the ship would be destroyed, but all would be saved.
Not everyone was keen to take God at His word. They wanted to avoid running aground so they continued to take soundings to gauge depth. As the depth gradually reduced and their fear of running aground seemed likely, some of the crew secretly decided to take matters into their own hands. Their own efforts had been useless to that point, but were unwilling to remain on the ship despite God's promise. Can't we do the exact same thing? While pretending to let down the anchors, they lowed the skiff from the side. Acts 27:31 says, "Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved." For God's word to be confirmed, all those on board needed to meet God's conditions: stay on the ship until it runs aground, and then all will be saved. Should some leave in disobedience, they would jeopardise their own lives and even the centurion who remained on board.
The passage concludes the next day in Acts 27:40-44: "And they let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore. 41 But striking a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves. 42 And the soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape. 43 But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, 44 and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land." What the passengers feared most God allowed to happen to them, yet trust in God's Word brought salvation: all escaped safely to land. God did not withhold violent waves from tearing the ship into pieces, nor did He preserve the ship. When all hope was lost, God provided hope through shipwreck.
The disciples were shattered and afraid when Jesus Christ died on the cross. All hope seemed lost. Yet Satan's apparent victory was no defeat for God, for Jesus Christ rose from the grave immortal and glorified as He said. It was in His death and resurrection all can have salvation and life. It is in our dying to self - in losing our lives for the sake of Jesus - that we find everlasting life, love, salvation, and indescribable joy. Do not fear the shipwrecks or trials by fire God allows in your life, for it is in the tempest or the furnace of affliction God will meet with you, speak comfort to you, and provide hope for you and others. When all hope is lost, do not lose heart. Those who trust God and His Word will never be put to shame.
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