Let Divine Grace Hold You Together
By Dr. Jack R. Hodges, Jr.
Burke County
This article is the fourth of a series of messages that traces Paul’s Mediterranean Sea journey to Rome. Luke chronicled Paul’s faithful testimony of the Lordship of Jesus amid adversity. In the story found in Acts 27-28, Paul was sent as a prisoner of Imperial Rome from Caesarea in Israel to Rome to stand trial before the higher courts of Rome. While on trial in Caesarea, Paul had appealed to Caesar. His appeal was granted and he was sent under Roman guard to Rome. They set sail and during this long, difficult voyage, Paul would continue to find God’s promises, guidance, and provisions along each challenge of the journey.
In Acts 27:13-17, we find that Julius, the Roman centurion in charge of delivering Paul to Rome, has already decided to continue traveling by ship rather than by making the long overland trip. Thinking that they were going to save much time and effort, he transferred his prisoners to an Alexandrian cargo ship which set sail directly to Rome. But, they run into adverse and unfavorable winds, which slow their progress considerably. When they finally arrive at Fair Havens on the southern side of Crete, the timetable for safe sea travel in the Mediterranean Sea is about to pass. A committee was formed to decide on whether to travel onward, despite the risks, or not. Paul was allowed to speak, but his words of wisdom went unheeded. And the ship set sail hoping to make it to the harbor of Phoenix, on the southwestern side of the island, before it became impossible to travel.
Paul’s advice, guided by the words of God, was sound. God’s word is always spot on! His eternal wisdom sees the beginning and the end. His truths are meant to guide us through the storms and the evil of this world. And His Word must not be ignored or cast aside. But, keep in mind that God’s immediate words of direction and guidance will never contradict His Holy Word. For example, if you hear a voice telling you to do something—and that word is directly opposed to the truths of the Bible, then the voice you are hearing is not from the Lord! And if you choose to ignore His truths and listen to the other voices, then your pathway or journey is headed towards calamity—just like those who ignored Paul’s words.
The Holy Spirit desires to lead us to all truth. As Jesus said in John 16:13, “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.” Paul wrote in Romans 2:4, “Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” And Peter echoed that truth in 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” The Spirit of the Lord will lead you and guide you to God’s eternal truths found written down for all peoples of all ages in the Word of God. And God’s children must heed the Father’s words!
Here is what happens when you and I step outside of God’s will. Luke writes that “a moderate south wind came up.” Thinking that they have been favored by the gods of the wind and sea, the ship’s captain and the centurion set sail. But, pretty soon, they get crushed by what was their greatest of fears—a “euraquilla” wind (Greek: eurokulōn/ευρακύλων). What we would know as a “northeaster,” which is slightly under a typhoon or a hurricane, hits them with full force. These winds come out of the desert, blowing northward continuously for about fifty days. The Mediterranean Sea becomes a deathbed for any ship caught in it. All that they could do was give way to it and let the storm take them where it blew. So, they put down the anchor and used heavy supporting cables to keep the ship upright. But they were fighting a losing battle.
When heavy spiritual storms come—and they will come—what do God’s children do? You see, even as we follow Jesus, we are going to face heavy storms, trials, and tribulations. First of all, we certainly don’t want to face the storms of our own making, do we? That’s certain trouble, devastation, and destruction! Although I shouldn’t have to mention that when you and I disregard the wise counsel of God’s Word and the prompting of the Holy Spirit, and as we step outside of God’s protective will and hedge of protection, the condemnation and product of our sins will fall heavily upon us.
Paul now found himself in a situation and in a position where his wisdom from the Lord had been ignored and, as a prisoner, he was seemingly powerless to change the outcome. When we find ourselves beaten down and losing hope, what are we to do? When we get caught up in a world that is out of control and doesn’t want to listen to the wisdom of the Lord God, what are we to do? When we find ourselves suffering under the weight of sin around us or we have fallen prey to the lusts of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, or the boastful pride of life, what are we to do?
Here’s what Paul chose to do—he chose to fix his eyes on Jesus, the author and the finisher of his faith. He chose to ride out the storm held firmly by the grace of God. He knew that God’s plans would not nor could not be deterred—even when the situation looked dire and the destructive outcome unavoidable. He knew that he could trust fully in the Lord even amid the storm. So, he rode out the coming storm with his eyes fixed on Jesus. And he knew that his Redeemer and Savior would come to his defense.
What will you do as the storms of life come? Here’s what you can do: Fix your eyes on Jesus and let divine grace hold you together! Through His grace, the Lord pours out blessings that are not of our own making. Through His grace, the Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts that allow the church to accomplish His mission and share His message. Through His grace, we carry on in His name and for His glory.
- Hudson Taylor, a pioneer English missionary to China once famously said, “It does not matter where He places me or how. That is rather for Him to consider than for me. For the easiest positions, He must give grace; and in the most difficult, His grace is sufficient. So, if God places me in great perplexity, must He not give me much guidance? In positions of great difficulty, much grace? In circumstances of great pressure and trial, much strength? As to work, mine was never so plentiful, so responsible, or so difficult; but the weight and strain are all gone. His resources are mine, for He is mine!”
God’s grace was on Paul’s heart and mind in that moment of crisis. His witness and testimony, even in the direst of situations, remained, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” (Galatians 2:20) As he rode out the storm, Paul declared, “Your grace is sufficient!”
_________________________________________
Dr. Jack Hodges is the Senior Pastor at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Morganton, NC. He has served as a pastor, a biblical counselor, and an International Mission Board missionary.
Read more from Dr. Hodges here.
_________________________________________
