“Well I have been in a storm for quite a
while now. I seem to be stumbling from crisis to crises. Wave upon wave of
pain, anguish and reversals have hit me. But let’s just move on with life”
If
you are suffering the effects of disobedience just moving on won’t help. Before
things become right we must first accept where we missed it and repent. After the men had gone a long time without food,
Paul ... said: "Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from
Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss” Acts 27:21(NIV).
“I feel that statement
was just rubbing it in. Why not just suggest a way forward?”
We
cannot move forward until we have dealt properly with the past. Paul had to draw their attention to this. He also
was saying in effect “Listen to me now.” Jonah had to deal with the past before
he moved forward. "When my life
was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your
holy temple. Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be
theirs. But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have
vowed I will make good." Jon 2:7-9 (NIV)
So
also had David, the prodigal son, and Zacchaeus. So must you. Repent and heed
the word.
“Is the crisis always my
fault? I mean do the righteous ever suffer unjustly?”
Paul
and his travel companions certainly were suffering in the boat along with the
rest of the crew. Those going to Tarshish with Jonah came near death in their innocence
because of Jonah. So God’s people can be the victims or the cause of suffering.
Basically when we are in a boat, a country or city with others, what happens to
one affects others. That is why we must pray for leaders and all men as well as
warn them. Also, seek the peace and
prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord
for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper Jer 29:7(NIV). But by your own
admission this was your fault not so?
“Well that’s it. I’m just
a failure. I’ll just curl up and die; I’ll never come out of this.”
Why
do you reason that way? Repentance is no self pity. When repentance comes hope
also comes. But now I urge you to
keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will
be destroyed Acts 27:22 (NIV). I am sure
Paul must have been pleading with God to have mercy on all, not just himself.
Plead with God and wait on His word. Last
night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and 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.'Acts27:23-24(NIV)
“Thank you so much. It
is good to have talked and prayed with you. I will not suffer any ill effects
of these sins again. I have repented; I will obey His word carefully.”
Praise
God. But some consequences are inevitable Nevertheless,
we must run aground on some island Acts 27:26(NIV). Yet God will work all things for good.
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