February 27, Murphy’s Law
Today’s Journey Through Acts excerpt is:
Murphy's Law
You've probably heard of Murphy's Law. You may have also lived out days where that epigram came to life. It's the saying that: If anything can go wrong, it will go wrong. Unfortunately, believers are not exempt from the difficulties of life. Few people were more aware of this fact than the apostle Paul. Throughout his ministry, he experienced hardship after hardship. He even built his value system around that fact. The context of the often-quoted Philippians 4:13 is actually Paul stating how he has learned to endure good times as well as incredibly difficult times. He had learned how to be content in all circumstances.
Paul had one more difficult journey to contend with. God was bringing him to Rome as promised. It seems that it would have been quite easy for God to deliver him quietly and efficiently to his destination. However, at every turn and through every leg of the journey, they experienced one setback after another.
There was not a single part of this trip that went according to plan. Yet, through these challenges, we learn a few things about Paul.
He was still on route to his destination. Even in the moments where they had to relinquish control and allow the wind to do with the boat as it wished, Paul was still tracking toward his destination. There would be detours, but there was never a cancellation of the plan. God was moving him forward.
He was still hearing from the Lord. Through all of the chaos that unfolds in chapter twenty-seven, Paul emerges one morning with fresh confidence that he had heard from the Lord. Verses 23-25 read: "For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told."
He was still under God's divine protection. The chapter ends with a shipwreck that left the ship completely destroyed by the reefs and waves. There is no doubt that Paul was under the divine protection of God. Luke closes chapter twenty-seven with the following summation: "The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land."
There's certainly a lot happening in this chapter. They went from ship to ship, they withstood seasonal and weather changes, hunger, and loss. They faced the fact that they would probably die at sea. However, through all of this, Paul was still on track, on mission, and riding out the storm in the middle of the will of God. You're probably not detained, starving, nor in a hurricane at sea, yet you may know what it's like to be in the center of God's will and experience challenges.
Though not every situation will parallel with this story, there is truth to be gleaned. First, take a page from Paul's book and remove yourself from the chaos of the storm to spend some time with the Spirit. You may find the peace and assurance that comes from a fresh word from the Lord. Secondly, don't jump overboard. Paul's directive to everyone involved until they reached land was: Stay in the ship. I want to encourage you today to stick to the plan that God has put before you. Don't quit or walk away in the midst of the unknown. When you have more questions than answers, this is not the time to take your chances with the sea. You're still on route to the destination. You're still hearing from the Lord. You're still under His divine protection.
Reflect on the journey: Are you tired from the journey? You may be in the center of God's perfect will and still be experiencing challenges right now. When is the last time you had a fresh word from the Holy Spirit? Maybe this is a good time to take some time away with the Lord.
Through your prayer time today: Read Psalm 139:1–12 and be reminded that God has not forgotten you. Take some time to pray your way through that Psalm with gratitude that God knows the most intimate detail of every challenge in your life and has not forsaken you.
