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READ Acts 25-28

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)

This assurance and deep conviction that something hoped for but not seen will come to pass is not assumption nor some sort of occultic fortune telling. It is being convinced that whatever God says is true and if has not already happened, it will. It was this conviction that kept Paul confident during the last part of Acts.

The seed was planted when “he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them.” (Acts 18:2) He stayed and worked with them, no doubt learning what God was doing in that great city and realizing that the Gentiles who believed in Jesus would be left without Jewish believers to guide them in God’s Word.

The Holy Spirit agreed and Paul verbalized what the Spirit had put on his heart: “Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, ‘After I have been there, I must also see Rome.’ ” (Acts 19:21)

Many things happened during this time and Paul’s desire was increased when, “The Lord stood by him and said, ‘Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.’ ” (Acts 23:11)

The trip was harsh. In vain, I tried to count the days and the severe storms. Paul’s advice based on his faith was ignored. The men of the ship were desperate. They finally gave up.

But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land. And when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along. Running under the lee of a small island called Cauda, we managed with difficulty to secure the ship’s boat. After hoisting it up, they used supports to undergird the ship. Then, fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the gear, and thus they were driven along. Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo. And on the third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. (Acts 27:14–20)

The movie “Perfect Storm” comes to mind. Also the sinking of Titanic and other true and fictional accounts of disasters at sea. I can hear these sailors crying out, see the waves, smell the air and their fear. It seemed a certain death. But then . . .

Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. But we must run aground on some island.” (Acts 27:21–26)

Paul knew God was taking him to Rome. The storm was certainly a faith-test but his assurance was not shaken. God said it and he believed it. The storms seemed determined to not allow it, but Paul kept listening to the One who controls the wind and waves and held to his conviction. This is faith.

Faith isn’t about sight; yet God often verifies what He is doing so we can see it. Faith isn’t about desire; no one wants an experience like that trip to prove a point. Faith isn’t a twisted idea; Festus said Paul was out of his mind, but this man answered that he spoke true and rational words and Festus knew he was sane and innocent of all accusations. So this man of faith arrived in Rome.

And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage. And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him. (Acts 28:15–16)

Then he shared the Gospel with people who came in great numbers each day and “lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.”

Lesson: Listen to God’s direction and don’t let storms or anything else stop me from doing whatever He says!