Rev. Michael Duncan

Praying for Daylight - Acts 27
Posted by Michael on Monday, October 31, 2011 at 2:05pm

The day had dawned with pleasant winds and a hopeful outlook. Despite the warnings of the Apostle Paul, the centurion determined to take the advice of the pilot of the ship and put out to sea. Circumstances quickly changed. What had started as a day of hope became a day of horror as the great Northeaster swept down upon the sea. Panic struck the ship as the crew furiously struggled against the power of the storm, all in vain. The storm was relentless, unforgiving and unwilling to release the captive vessel from its grip. Two weeks passed without relief. Desperate men cried out. Hope slipped away as they were powerless to change circumstances they never should have been in. Even after the great Apostle proclaimed the deliverance of God the people on the ship were bound to the fear that was carried in the storm. “Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight.” – Acts 27:29 They prayed for daylight… have you ever been there? Have you ever been in a place of such despair that it seemed even the sun might fail? There are times when we set our course according to the wisdom of the world rather than the Word of God and plunge ourselves into a storm. We make every frantic attempt to keep our course, to make for the shores of our own desires and find that we are swept away, lost in the maelstrom of circumstances… praying for daylight. A worldly decision in the past cannot be cured by another worldly decision in the present. Maybe you listened to the pilot instead of the prophet – to the counsel of the world rather than the word of God. Pray for daylight. Pray that God will again shine upon you His wisdom and truth so that you can survive the storm. And once God does give you the understanding to find deliverance, have the courage to take it. The pilot and crew of that ill-fated vessel lost their cargo. They lost the ship’s tackle, the anchors, even the ship itself yet found that God had saved them. It was worth the loss of all things that they might live. So, what would you give in exchange for your soul? When you pray for daylight, when you ask the Savior to deliver you from the storm, will you cling to your sins and stay with the ship? Or, will you determine to do exactly what God has said – even if it means that you might lose all things? “When daylight came… the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding surf… and everyone reached land in safety.” – Acts 27:39-44 ©2011 Rev. Michael Duncan messages and devotions
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Marlene Anderson says:

Excellent post Michael. There are many things we can do to prepare for our journeys and need to as human beings. But in the end, it is when we put our trust and hope with the Lord that we can weather all storms and unexpected crises.

Comment submitted: 11/1/2011 10:39:48 AM

Daphne says:

What will I give in exchange? Me.
I've had to face and to suffer for my wrong decisions, decisions made without God's counsel. Won't say it will not happen again, but I will make sure that I will pay attention to what God wants of me and not what the world wants of me.

Comment submitted: 11/2/2011 1:44:48 PM

Michael says:

Daphne - Just remember that there is One who already gave Himself for your soul - the Lord Jesus. Trust Him and run to Him and you will find rest for your soul. You're right in that all of us have made those choices that sent us into the maelstrom, but God will deliver as we pay attention to Him and do what He says.

Marlene - Thank you for your encouragement! We often sail with the thought that we're doing good - but if we're not listening to God we will certainly be off course and heading into a storm. What grace that God delivers us from our own foolish ways.

Comment submitted: 11/2/2011 2:21:52 PM

Lisa McCaskill says:

So needed this,

Comment submitted: 11/23/2011 4:06:36 AM

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