A Calm Heart in the Storm

Paul could have a calm heart in the middle of the mother of all storms because he knew he was in the center of God’s will for his life. He was on business for God.

In his prison cell back in Caesarea, Jesus Himself had stood by Paul and said, "Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome" (Acts 23:11). Then, in the middle of the storm out at sea, an angel stood by Paul with this message from God: "Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar" (Acts 27:24).

Bear witness at Rome . . . brought before Caesar . . .

Paul knew that God would get him to where he was supposed to be—at the right time, in the right place, and with whatever he needed to complete the job at hand. With these things in mind, Paul could even relax in the middle of a hurricane . . . just before a shipwreck. He knew he had Heaven’s business to transact in Rome, and he knew that God would get him through any difficulty along the way. He was walking in God’s plan, and he could rest in the fact that it was God’s responsibility to get him through—rough seas or not!

The same is true of our service to the King. No, we aren’t assured of smooth sailing, and we’re not promised immunity from shipwrecks (or viper bites!) along the way. But we are definitely assured of a safe arrival. Know this: As long as God has work for us to do here on earth, we will be here to do it. God will preserve us to do it. And when that work is done, it is done, and He’ll bring us home to Heaven—not a moment too soon and not a moment too late.