Plans to save you
Life circumstances are similar to the storms at sea, some are pre-forecasted, while others come unexpected. When it seems like it is all going to be well and the day is going to be clear, the weather changes and the storm comes. We cannot expect our days to be as they seem. Paul was on his way to be judged by Cesar, and as he sailed with the soldiers and fellow prisoners’ what looked like a pleasant day for sailing turned out to be a nightmare in sea. But, with the believer God has set an escape plan that is full proof. There is a process for the molding of the believer that takes place when one is tried in the storm. The scriptures tell us that the testing of our faith produces perseverance to the maturing of the man of God (Ja1:2-4). There is a satisfaction that comes once one has past the storm and it is a feeling of encouragement. God gives us that feeling that we are going to make it, as he did to Paul while he was on the ship and in the middle of the storm. The apostles saw this while they too were on a ship and a storm struck them. Jesus after giving thanks for the five loafs and two fish, had just finished feeding 5,000 men along with their families walks to the disciples and gets on the boat and calms the storm (Mk6:51). God’s plans for us are not for destruction, but for hope (Jer29:11).
Acts 27:33-36
Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. “For the last fourteen days,” he said, “you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food—you haven’t eaten anything. 34 Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” 35 After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. 36 They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves.
When you are going through the trial or storm it is not to destroy you, but it is to create an expectation on God’s deliverance or salvation. Isaiah tells us that when you pass through the waters they will not hurt you(Is43:2), because God is with you. There is no escaping when unexpected storms come our way. The sailors saw hope in the small boats that were on the ship when the storm was battering it, and it seemed to be a way to escape, but God had other plans that included saving everyone (Act27:31-32); the process not complete if one is in fear and faithless. Something amazing happened to create this expecting feeling of God’s salvation in the men that were with Paul while they were on the way to Cesar, and that was the breaking of bread. At first when they could not fight against the storm they gave in, but the bible tell us that after Paul broke bread and gave thanks to God and ate that everyone felt encouraged. Each time a disheartening moment arouse Jesus broke bread and gave thanks to the Father and the situation changed. Like in the feeding of the five thousand(Mk6:51), and the four thousand (Mk8:6) Jesus broke bread and gave thanks to God and a miracle occurred. Something happens internally when while one is going through the storm and reacts with thanksgiving towards God, and that is a feeling of hope and completeness arises in one.
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
51 Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed,
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
Acts 27:31-32
31 Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it drift away.
Mark 8:6
6 He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people, and they did so.