Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.' So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.

The Apostle Paul was on a ship sailing for Rome and they had encountered a storm. They all feared for their lives but Paul received a message from God that they would survive. In the midst of the storms of life when it looks like we are facing certain shipwreck, that is the time when we need to quiet ourselves and hear God’s reassuring voice.

If we’ll surrender to God’s will and have faith in Him that He will guide us, protect us and provide for us, then He will give us the courage to face anything that comes our way. The important thing is that we surrender our will to His and listen carefully enough to follow Him and obey Him. He always has the right way out of a situation if we’ll listen carefully and follow fully.

I know God’s promises are true, and what is true for God’s protection of Paul is true for all of us if we’ll have faith in God and go His way. I want so much to please Him and be fruitful and effective for His Kingdom. I am inspired to be consistent in prayer, diligent in the study of His Word, faithful in teaching His Word and careful to love and care for the people He has entrusted to my pastoral oversight.

There are a lot of people facing many storms in life and as I give myself to hearing God’s voice, He will give me a calming influence in the lives of people who need to hear Him. I want to be an instrument of healing in God’s hands and a voice of comfort to those in the midst of storms.

Father God, thank You for your great power and enduring love that protects us in the middle of the great storms of life. I pray for our country today, that we would be people that turn to You in the midst of great financial need. I pray for your will to be done in this election. Though men and women in this country have free will to vote as they wish, I know that You sovereignly allow men and women to be promoted to important offices in this country. I am confident in your sovereignty that regardless of who becomes our next leaders in this state and in this country, that You will accomplish your eternal purposes. Help me to hear your voice these days so that I can be a calming influence to those who are going through great storms in their lives.