Luke the beloved physician wrote how he, Paul, and others with him were sailing toward Rome, and although Paul warned them not to leave Crete and a storm arose, “when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away. But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, you should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship. For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, saying, Fear not, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God has given you all them that sail with you”, and in chapter twenty-seven and verse twenty-five of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul said, “I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me” where we read:
Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
The verse begins, “Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, ...” Luke began with the words, “wherefore, sirs” which means “therefore, then, consequently and on this account, men aboard the ship”, “be of good cheer” or “exist as joyful, happy, cheerful and in good spirits”: “for I believe God” which means “because, since and on account that I, Paul, trust in, rely upon, cling to and have confidence in the Heavenly Father God”. Luke shared how “Paul” told the men aboard the ship that they should be “cheerful and in good spirits” because he trusted in what “God” told him.
The verse goes on to say, “... that it shall be even as it was told me.” Luke continued with the words, “that it shall be” which means “that what shall happen and occur will exist” “even as it was told me” or “in the same manner and likeness to what was proclaimed and declared to me, Paul”. Luke shared how “Paul” told the men aboard the ship that he “trusted” in what God declared to him through His “angel”.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” reemphasized his exhortation for the men aboard the ship to be cheerful and in good spirits. “Paul” trusted “God” even in this dire situation, and he knew what God had proclaimed he would fulfill. “Paul” was to be brought before “Caesar” in “Rome”, and because the gospel of Jesus Christ was to be given to the whole world, God would fulfill His promise. Everyone is invited to receive Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”, and anyone who yields to Him will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with Him. Let all who read these words respond like “Paul” to the messenger from God and “believe”.
Next time Luke shares how Paul says, “we must be cast upon a certain island”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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