Acts 27:25 – BE OF GOOD CHEER
Acts 27:25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
Paul is speaking to those who are on the ship with him. The ship is in one horrific storm and it has been about two weeks since the crew has seen the sun or the moon. No one on board the ship is eating and the crew has already thrown overboard everything possible so as to lighten the ship.
How would you respond to a prisoner who tells you everything is going to be fine because God has spoken to him? This prisoner is not a sailor. Furthermore, this guy is a prisoner so if he really had communication with the gods, what would this man be doing in chains. Surely if this man really could speak with God, there would be no way that anyone could put him in chains.
God was with Paul and Paul understood that. Paul understood that God does not lie and that if God told him that everyone would be safe, then there was no need to be afraid because God was going to deliver them.
The nation of Israel had been in Egypt for many generations. However, they all knew the promises of God and how HE was going to bring them back into the Promised Land. By the strength of God, the nation of Israel saw God turn the heart of Pharaoh so that they were released. However, even though this nation had just seen God do many miracles to get them out of Egypt, they feared when they saw the Egyptian army bearing down on them.
The nation of Israel lost sight of the promises of God and they feared that which they could not control. God had a special plan for HIS chosen people but HIS people did not understand that what God promises, God must bring to pass. If God could get the nation of Israel out of Egypt, then God could deliver them from their enemies.
God had told Gideon that he was to lead the nation of Israel in battle with the enemy. Gideon heard the words but he did not believe them. God sent sign after sign to reassure Gideon but even the day before he was to fight, Gideon was afraid. Gideon did not have the confidence in God as Paul did. Gideon did not understand how to obey God and leave the results in God’s hands.
When God speaks to us, we need to listen. When God speaks to us, we need to obey. When God speaks to us, we need to stop worrying about the results and start trusting that God will bring to pass the fulfillment of HIS calling.
It is our natural response to be like the nation of Israel and Gideon. It takes faith to follow the example of Paul. Nonetheless, there is a great reward for those who can patiently wait on God and allow HIM to direct their paths. Paul was not perfect but he did understand who God was.
God does not work on our timetable. Nonetheless, if God promises you something, you can be assured that God will bring it to past. This means that while you may need to be patient and allow God to fulfill HIS promise in HIS timing, you should stop worrying and be of good cheer because God will fulfill HIS promise in a way that HE will be glorified.
It is not easy being patient with God. It is not easy to not worry about the things that are going on around us. Nonetheless, as your relationship with God grows, so should your trust in HIM. It is your duty to serve God and you must allow God to do the impossible in your life.