DEVOTIONAL
“For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me,” Acts 27:23 NASBS
Brothers and sisters in Christ, let no one deceive you, for the God of heaven sends his holy messengers to bid his will. That which is not seen by the human eye nor heard by the human ear exists all around us and watches over us during times of struggle and trial. Who knows what heavenly messengers have protected you from the certainty of harm, even as I write this short devotion? The Apostle Paul was a man of integrity and honor and had been falsely accused of breaking Jewish law. His life was in danger and he was imprisoned in Caesarea for two years. He was now on his way to Rome to stand trial before Caesar, along with many prisoners for a crime he didn’t commit.
When considerable time had passed, they had entered into the seasons when it was dangerous to sail. So Paul began to admonish them, and said to them, “Men, I perceive that the voyage will certainly be with damage and great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” But the captain chose to continue forward into the bad weather. He was looking for a more suitable place to spend the winter. So, pushing out into the sea they continued their voyage. Not long afterwards they ran into a violent wind called a Northeastern. After many days without food, being storm-tossed, as they emptied the cargo over the ship to try to keep it afloat, the Lord sent an angel to stand before Paul saying, “‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.”
All the people on the ship were delivered that day and the word of the Lord spoken through the angel proved to be true. Dear reader, call upon Him in days of trouble. His promise is, He will hear your prayer and give you the strength to conquer or endure through the tribulations that lie ahead. Jesus is the promise of God’s covenant that He made to Abraham and His presence will not be denied from you. For He is the rock of ages who has conquered sin and death, and now intercedes on your behalf. Christian cry aloud, “O, angel of my God, be near, amid the darkness hush my fear; Loud roars the wild tempestuous sea, thy presence, Lord, shall comfort me.”