Smooth sailing!
“So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have told you” (Acts 27:25).
Sometimes we may think that-
– when we’re in the will of God, it will be smooth sailing!
But many times it is just the opposite.
Doors slam in our faces.
Obstacles appear in our paths.
And storms arise that threaten to drive us off course.
That is why we need to remember there is a devil who wants to stop us from doing what God wants us to do.
As the apostle Paul was on his way to do the will of God, he hit some tough times.
An incredible storm arose that caused the people in his ship to despair of their lives.
But there was no obstacle big enough to stop Paul.
He always seemed to rise above his circumstances.
As he went through the storm-
– he knew God had shown him what to do,
– and he would let nothing deter him from that course.
Often when a hard time hits, when a crisis hits, when a tragedy hits, we want out.
We ask God for an airlift out of our problems.
But many times God’s wants us to learn in the midst of them.
Romans 8:35–37 says:
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?…No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
Notice the phrase, “in all these things.”
It isn’t saying we won’t face some of these things.
But it says that in them we are more than conquerors.
If you are seeking to obey the Lord-
– expect opposition.
Expect obstacles.
Expect difficulties.
But also expect God to see you through.