In Acts 27 is the story of Paul’s harrowing ocean trip to Italy. He’d warned the navigators that they should not go, but the unnamed centurion who was to deliver Paul to Caesar assumed that they who were experts in the field knew more than Paul, not even a novice shipman, so away they went. Paul was a preacher for cryin’ out loud what did he know about sailing? Not long into the journey the winds begin to blow a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon; (Vs. 14) a whirlwind much like that of Jonah’s journey, both out of the treasuries of God, (Psalm 135:7), designed to make God’s point. As the centurion of Augustus band set in the dark ship many days without sun or stars to shine, and all hope being lost, I have wonder if he didn’t spend much time thinking about the angel band that had forewarned the preacher of the coming storm.
The centurion, much like todays political hires took the messengers of God far too lightly. After all, what do they know about the climate (political or meteorological conditions?). Our Pastors keep warning the DC-ites that a storm is brewing and that we should abandon this liberal journey, but the ship continues out to sea with total disregard for the spiritual signs. The “experts” have this under control.
Stay in the Ship
These are dark times in America, although the sun appears to be shining in many cities. I’m not a naysayer, I’m not even a very good realist. I like happy endings! But the writing is not on the wall, it’s in the Book; that God has stirred up a Eurocydon among the political climate worldwide. Their arrogance that they have this under control is about to get real.
(2Ch 16:9) For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
America battles war after war, not even our own, but just as it was in the early days, God takes care of His own (those whose heart is perfect toward him)
Paul advised his shipmates to stay in the ship, it was there that they would have salvation. Such is the case with the modern day church. Political know it all’s can unload the ship of every supply we have on hand but the Word of God is within. The shipmasters threw out the rigging, the food and anything else they could find trying to lighten the load of the ship while the winds kept tossing them to and fro. And Paul said “And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship” (vs. 22)
Our government has thrown out practically every tool of the trade our forefathers left in the ship (the constitution, the laws, etc.) But God’s still in control and He abides within the believers of this nation and so long as we abide in Him, we’re going to be okay. It may get dark, rough and rocky, but God’s going to get us to our appointed destination.
At the end of that journey they landed on shore, part of the ship was damaged but they made it! And the centurion who once looked to the experts, turned to Paul. The soldiers were going to kill the prisoners rather than see them escape, but the centurion kept them from their intent because of the man of God.
I believe there’s still time to save America, but we are indeed sailing on some tricky seas right now with political nit wits at the helm of the ship steering us right into a storm. We need to stay in the ship. Keep the church doors open every Sunday morning and evening, Wednesday night and any other day or night to allow safe haven for the lost. We don’t need a new navigation guide, the King James Bible will do just fine, it is still intact, unlike the other versions which took out a few pertinent pieces to the map. We need to stay faithful and wait for the trumpet that surely will sound soon…