Mountainous waves crashed down upon the vessel carrying the Apostle Paul to Rome. Walls of green Mediterranean water swept the tiny craft from stem to stern. The little ship shuddered and vibrated as hurricane force wind and furious waves pounded its decks and sides.
Reasons for discouragement unrelentingly filled the thoughts of both passengers and crew. Everyone gave up hope of being saved.
After enduring two weeks of violent storms, Paul urged everyone to be encouraged. How ridiculous! Couldn’t he count the reasons for being discouraged? Didn’t he understand that all hope of being saved was lost?
Yes, Paul could easily count the reasons for discouragement. But he could not number the reasons for being encouraged. You see, Paul knew he belong to an infinite GOd who intended for him to reach the city of Rome. “Infinite” simply means “without number, without end, without measure.” God’s presence provided innumerable reasons for being encouraged; the Mediterranean storm and sinking ship only provided limited number of reasons for discouragement. No wonder the apostle urged everyone on board to take courage.
We belong to the same God who owned Paul. Like him, we can enumerate reasons for being or feeling discouraged. But also like Paul, we possess in God unending reasons for courage. Let’s choose to focus our attention upon our everlasting, almighty, enduring God who is our reason for encouragement!
Note: Scriptures referred to Acts 27.
