November 27
Bible Reading: Acts 27:13-26
Acts 27:25, “So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.”
Hope, as the term is used in Scripture, refers to a “favorable and confident expectation” and concerns that which “has to do with the unseen and the future” (Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of OT and NT Words). It differs from the common usage in our vernacular because Biblical hope contains no element of doubt. We might say, “I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow,” but lacking any guarantee that hope cannot be deemed a “confident expectation.”
Biblical hope is sourced in God himself and is founded on His promises. Its assurance lies not in the favorable winds of happy circumstances, but on the goodness and faithfulness of God. Paul’s shipmates, encouraged by the south wind that blew gently, set sail (Acts 26:13). But favorable winds soon turned to a lethal northeaster. So, it is in life. Circumstances in life are random and unpredictable. To base one’s hope solely on the fair winds of today is to lose all hope in tomorrow’s tempest. That’s what happened to the crew of Paul’s vessel, when at last they abandoned all hope of being saved (Acts 27:20).
Paul’s hope was anchored to God and his sure promises. Paul belonged to and worshipped God. And God sent an angel to reassure him that he would stand before Caesar, and thus survive the doomed voyage (Acts 27:24). Not only that, but God also reassured Paul that the lives of his shipmates would be saved. That God “granted (Paul) all those who sail with you,” presupposes that Paul must have prayed, asking God to spare their lives (Acts 27:24).
Paul told the crew to take heart. His encouragement to them was not based on some fickle weather report or because he had a rabbit’s foot in his pocket. His hope rested instead on the reliable promise given to him by God. Likewise, the believer’s hope is well founded in the reality of who God is and the sureness of the promises He’s made. There are few guarantees in life, but God’s promises hold true 100 percent of the time. Hope in Jesus serves a “sure and steadfast anchor of the soul” (Hebrews 6:19), that holds no matter the storm. You’ve been blessed to possess such a hope, and when troubles come, it’s good to remind others of its source.
To base one’s hope solely on the fair winds of today is to lose all hope in tomorrow’s tempest.
STANDING ON THE PROMISES
Standing on the promises of Christ, my King,
Through eternal ages let his praises ring;
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.
Refrain:
Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God, my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises that cannot fail.
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]
Standing on the promises of Christ, the Lord,
Bound to him eternally by love’s strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
Standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]
Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
List’ning ev’ry moment to the Spirit’s call,
Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]
LookingtoJesus 