Good Can Always Come Out of Bad

In Acts 27:9-12, Luke records how he, Paul and others were adrift for fourteen days in a storm only to end up shipwrecked on the island of Malta halfway across the Mediterranean. Both meteorological and nautical evidence demonstrate, in a rather brilliant manner, that these events probably occurred precisely as Luke recorded them. The incident of the contrary wind serves as an allegory for Paul’s life as well as the lives of all of us. We all want good things for our lives. We all desire a happy family, economic security, good health and a bright future, but these things are often thwarted by the winds of adversity. Notice how, once on the Island, Paul never complained about his misfortune nor bemoaned his infirmities.[pullquote4 align=”right” style=”width:300px;”]Delivering the Castaway
An angel stood so close last night
Who brought great comfort to me;
He said there’d be no loss of life,
If the cargo is tossed out to sea.”
Be not afraid of seas that toss and swell
I serve a God in heaven; his story I must tell.
Lighten the load and swim for shore,
“Oh Captain, trust me,” I implore.
A fire was built in the village that night
A viper came from the dark to take Paul’s life.
Filled with the power and wisdom of God
He threw it in the fire like Aaron’s Rod.
“I’m not a God, don’t worship me
But serve the one who set men free!”
Ill pray for the man who lies close to death
So God can grant him one more breath.
The God that I serve is not a mortal man
By his strength and power He is able to stand.
He waits on the dock of a castaway’s life
To heal and deliver from sin and from strife.
If the ship of your life is adrift at sea
And the waves are dragging you down;
Cast thy anchor of surrender on bended knee,
The Rock of Ages will not let you drown.[/pullquote4]Notice too that the contrary wind did not prevent Paul from reaching Rome. Paul was not going to allow the misfortunes of the moment prevent him from reaching his destination. Someone once said that the important thing is not what befalls a man, but how he faces the challenge and responds in faith accordingly. Paul handled himself correctly when he prayed to God in the midst of the storm.

The interpretation of the text and the study of mankind throughout the Bible reveal that God gave man the ability to rise above the vicissitudes of life. This makes man God’s property. Notice that once on the island, Paul prayed for an inhabitant of the island, and God healed him. Good can always come out of bad when we keep our eyes on the Lord. Like the Apostle Paul, we too must cast the anchor of surrender on bended knee, knowing the Rock of Ages is not willing to allow His children to drown. Never abandon hope when on the brink of your miracle. God is still on the Throne! (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Always remember, when there is a storm, God has a plan. When there are waves of doubt filling your boat, God will calm the storm.

You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat. For the breath of the ruthless is like a storm driving against a wall (Isa. 25.4).

Hope is God’s umbrella which protects us from the storm until the rainbow appears.