“But take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong, and whom I serve stood beside me, and he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in His goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.’” (Acts 27:22-24 NLT)
In the final chapters of Acts the Apostle Paul is onboard a ship to Rome, which would ultimately be the place of his death. But after two weeks in a violent storm that the other 275 men on the ship believed would lead to their death, Paul said to them in Acts 27 (see above), then in verse 25: “So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as He said.”
Two critical considerations that will help you firm up what you can believe, if you so choose. Notice Paul said in the verse above, that “an angel of the God to whom I belong, and whom I serve stood beside me.” I don’t believe in a magic force that resides in the universe or someplace else. I believe in the everlasting God of heaven who is ever present, all powerful, all knowing and full of goodness, mercy, kindness, and love.
He is the God to whom I belong, a Person, not simply an idea or ideology to which I ascribe. But He’s also the One who stands beside me. I hear His voice, not audibly, but in some ways it’s clearer than if spoken audibly, as He assures me of His presence, affirms his love for me, teaches me of the ways in which I must walk, and guides me in the ways I have the privilege of serving Him.
On many levels my relationship with Jesus isn’t any different than having a relationship with any other family member or friend. He speaks, He loves, He laughs, He comforts, consoles, corrects, and cries with me. He feels my pain and enjoys my humor, and I His. He walks with me through the unknown territory in which I now find myself. But, arguably the best reason for me to walk with Him is because when I close my eyes in death, when I open them I have full assurance that He’ll still be where He’s always been – standing with me, guiding me, instructing me, and introducing me to my new forever family.
There’s one other dimension of my relationship with the Lord, He’s asking me to share with you. Many who read these words know me. Some of you have known me for more years than you care to remember. You know my life is “stained” with things of which I not only regret, but of which I’m ashamed.
Some of you may wonder what right I have to speak these words of knowledge of and closeness to the perfect God of heaven when I’ve been, and continue to be but for His grace, far from perfect. And I’m the first to admit, I have no right even to speak His Name except for His forgiveness, grace, mercy, and kindness. See, here’s the deal, I’m no different than you. I hate to break it to you, but you’re not perfect either, but even if you were, your “perfection” wouldn’t earn you an audience with the God of Heaven. Only Jesus can do that.
That brings rise to one other dimension of why I believe that I’ll share with you in tomorrow’s post.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 