27
Say What Angel?
Rod ShimabukuroActs 27:21After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. 22But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed.
23Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me 24and said, ‘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.’ 25So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. 26Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.”
The character of Paul during his imprisonment, in this journey to Rome is mind blowing. His fearless attitude, response, leadership is in place to fulfill God’s mission. He had received words, affirmations from God - that his life was not his own to worry about. And Paul’s bold confident tenacious spirit and life exampled his rugged commitment to God and HIs calling!
Paul seems so in tuned with God’s purposes that in the passage above - he professes that everyone will be saved - and part of the reason is that God’s angel “encourages” him :) that he is to stand trial before Caesar. What? Paul is told he will be saved to continue his mission of suffering, pain - standing in judgement...? What kind of life is this? Say What Angel?? Save me so I can continue to suffer?
For me - I’d just say - Lord - take me and judge all these cowards too. Haha - folks, we will die and meet our Maker... are you ready! But this is not God’s will, neither is the kind of vengeful attitude reflected in Paul’s life - relationship with the sailors and fellow prisoners.
If I were in Paul’s shoes, I would be like - “forget this!” I seem to interact and deal with fellow “Christian prisoners” that I don’t care about. In fact I say in my heart...“judge em’ Lord!” What a horrible, ungodly, bad attitude I have!
Oh God have mercy on me. My application prayer is - Please FORGIVE ME LORD JESUS - of my ungodly and wicked attitude!! And help me to see Your perspective, to feel with Your heart - to know with Your wisdom - that You have called me to this life of surrender. To live for You, is to live surrendered...but HELP ME LORD - I NEED YOU! Thank You for YOUR LOVE and MERCY and CONVICTION - You have birthed and are growing in me. I WANT TO LIVE FOR YOU TILL THE DEATH!
