I love this scene in Paul's journey. The people did everything to save themselves from the raging storm, eventually throwing everything overboard that could aid in their survival. "On the third day, they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands. When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved." The people were in a grave situation, but our loving God in this case saved them, even when their stubbornness caused them not to listen to Paul's earlier advice.

This scene once again emphasizes our need to stand firm and to keep up our courage when situations in our lives are going astray. Often times it may be a result of sin or our stubbornness to really hear or be moved by God's leading. I know that personally, I often wondered why things were so difficult for me here on this paradise island. While I lived in a place that people call paradise, my heart was always in the desert. I knew it was sin, I knew it was my pride. God had a great sense of humor as He left me "shipwrecked" in a beautiful place, entirely alone, no where to run, cornered, desperate, hung out to dry - only then, I could turn my heart back to the Father. Here in my desert, I really believed with all the strength that I could muster, that God was scouring my heart, and that he would eventually lead me back to fit myself into His plans and purposes. "Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island." Isn't that the truth? - whatever our "island" might be that we are stranded on, we need to be patient, keep faith, keep courage, keep praying.

These passages are so clear that it is really God's Grace that saves us and that we should not be afraid. God said to Paul "... and God has graciouly given you the lives of all who sail with you." These passages are also very revealing in that God's purpose never gets thwarted although we may wander far from Him. Eventually He will get His way. Thank God for that. Thank God that Paul says "So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me."

Ok. Keep going! Have a great week.