“So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.”

In our verse of the day, we find the Apostle Paul with a Roman centurion, soldiers, and some prisoners on a ship to Rome. Coming to the safe harbor of Fair Havens in early winter, Paul had warned the ship captain not to sail on until winter had passed. His advice was not heeded, and they sailed on to the next port only to be pummeled by a severe storm. All aboard were petrified, thinking the ship would sink and all would drown; all except Paul, who had been promised they would survive and reach Rome.

What a great blessing it is when life gets hard—the storms are upon you—and there is a person in your life with the faith of Paul to encourage, strengthen, and lift you. “God said so, and it will be so.” The person most often in my life who provides this blessing is my wife. We have been through many storms together, not only in our 30-plus years in ministry, but in the issues of life as well.

She has been there for me as a rock of faith, immovable and unshakable. In times of storms, in times of spiritual attacks of depression, oppression, worry, and weariness, she brings joy to situations with a smile, a prayer, a word of God, an act of love, all with unfeigned faith, reminding me where my hope comes from and who I serve, and, yes, it will be alright.

Like Paul’s confidence, my wife’s ability to lift me comes from her faith that has been forged in the experiential knowledge and belief in God’s Word and promises. Faith says, “It will turn out just the way God said it would,” even when others dismiss the warnings and leading of God. Paul was told by an angel in the night that he would get to Rome, but first there would be a shipwreck, and they would run aground on a certain island. Paul did not know the island, but God did. It was Malta, just south of Sicily, and in Acts 28 we find there a man healed of a fever and dysentery, many afflicted with disease were healed, and Paul himself remained unharmed after a viper’s bite.

The miraculous healings were part of God’s divine will and sovereignty. Regardless of the storm and the unheeded warnings, God would get the ship’s occupants to Rome as promised. In the process, the prisoners on board, who were likely on their way to be killed by lions or spear or sword in the games at Rome, all heard the saving knowledge of Christ. All things will work for good to those who love Him and are called by Him (Romans 8:28).

God has a plan and purpose in every aspect of your life, beloved. Believe, trust, and keep the faith. Don’t jump ship, stay in the boat with Him.

By Pastor David Massie, friend of Bible League International, California U.S.