“And he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.” Acts 27:24
July 28, 2025
“Houston, we have a problem.” The now famous words from the space craft, Apollo 13, and its attempted reentry to earth from its lunar mission. The apostle Paul and the 276 persons on the ship in the Mediterranean found themselves in what Paul thought was an ill-fated voyage (Acts 27:10). However, God’s message through an angel changed everything. There would be no loss of life in the furious storm (Acts 27:34). Yet, and here is the problem, Paul said, “unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved” (27:31). We enter trials that are “perfect storms” circumstantially. The ultimate reality is that God is guiding and using our crises to work out His purposes in our lives. Storms can be experiences in the mysteries of divine providence. Divine sovereignty and human responsibility are harmonized in the mind of God. God’s sovereignty, His absolute rule over and control is not intended to discourage our responsibilities. God holds us responsible for our actions. We must plan and act (27:34, “take some food” needed to survive). We are to live with confidence in God. We are not to be afraid. We don’t live under the specter of “luck” or “chance.” Are we preparing ourselves for the circumstantial storms of life? Sometimes there will be the “frown of divine providence.” God wants us to live by a robust confidence that “all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28).
H
“Though the angry surges roll
On my tempest driven soul,
I am peaceful, for I know
Wildly though the winds may blow,
I’ve an anchor safe and sure,
That can evermore endure.”
Hymn – W.C. Martin