And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves.
Acts 27:35-36 (ESV)
Lord Jesus, my mind this morning reflects on Paul’s journey to Rome, where literally everything that could go wrong did go wrong. I so see the parallels and redemptive differences between Paul’s journey and Jonah’s! Both were traveling in the same direction, Paul heading west to Italy, Jonah heading west to Spain. Both were met with life threatening storms. Both had calm and peace in the midst of the storm.
Where they differ, however, is where I wish today to make sure that I fall on the right side. Whereas Jonah was running away from the will of God, Paul was running towards the will of God. Jonah was in sin. Paul was in obedience. The question was not whether the storms come but instead why they come. For Jonah, it was to bring him to repentance. For Paul it was to reinforce his faith.
Lord, the lesson to me is so plain and clear. Storms will come, whether I am walking in obedience or sin. I must discern the why and I must respond appropriately. Grant me a tender heart of discernment. Remind me of Your loving care. Don’t allow me to be so caught up in where I am and what I am doing and why I believe I am right that I don’t see Your guidance and direction and correction. But most of all, give me Your peace in the midst of it all, reminding me that You are in control, loving me, molding me, and making me into Your image. Lord Jesus, I desire to be held in Your bosom not confined to the “belly of a fish.” Amen.