November 16, 2019
Acts 27:12-14
Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Day of Atonement. So Paul warned them, “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.” But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship. Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided that we should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there. This was a harbor in Crete, facing both southwest and northwest.
CONSIDER THIS
Much time had been lost owing to the high winds and rough seas.
Let’s stop right there. While I don’t see it in today’s text, I hear it often in conversations these days. Satan gets credited with a lot of natural phenomenon he probably has nothing to do with. A thunderstorm rains on a church picnic. A youth group cancels their annual mission trip to the coast because of an impending hurricane. A tornado wipes out a local church and the neighborhood surrounding it (or spares the church while wiping out the homes). It’s so easy to push the “Satan” button when something out of our control, like the wind, blows our house down.
The truth? Sometimes Satan is involved. It’s important to recognize this. In the story of Job, Satan seems to be the author of the totalizing disasters. Most of the time, it’s probably just the wind. In the Acts story, more often than not, when the way gets blocked for the Apostles it’s the Holy Spirit closing the path.
Here’s how I understand it.
- Satan is real.
- Satan is neither omnipresent nor omnipotent. (He can’t possibly be present everywhere we suspect he is.)
- Satan opposes the will and plans of God and at times seems to temporarily thwart them.
- Jesus is Lord. (Remember, “Even the wind and waves obey him.“)
- He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
One more thing. Julius should have listened to Paul. Just saying.
THE PRAYER
COME HOLY SPIRIT!
THE QUESTION
Do you regularly push the Satan button or rarely? Why do you think that is?
For the Awakening,
J.D. Walt
Sower-in-Chief
seedbed.com
P. S. – Remember The Protagonist series last year by Matt and Josh LeRoy? We’re pleased to have it in book form, ready for Advent reading groups! Get your copy from our store here. For this first batch or orders, we’re also including a free journal!
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