"There arose against [us]... Euroclydon."  Acts 27:14
 

Euroclydon! It's the only storm named in Scripture. It means "typhoon," and Paul had to sail through it to reach his destiny. Observe:

(1) To reach your goal you'll have to go through storms. "When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved" (Acts 27:20 NIV). There will be days when you'll wonder how you're going to make it. But by God's grace you will!

(2) Storms reveal how well you know God. "Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul,'" (Acts 27:23-24 NIV). It's the tough times that reveal the strength of your God-connection.

(3) God can make a success out of a shipwreck. Notice some important things in this story:

    (a) Sometimes you'll have to throw stuff overboard (See Acts 27:18).
    (b) In spite of your best efforts you'll occasionally run aground (See Acts 27:26).
    (c) You must remember what God told you and stand on it (See Acts 27:25).
 

(4) Often the worst thing that could have happened turns out for the best. God used this shipwreck to reach Malta with the Gospel. And notice what happened to Paul and his traveling companions as they left that island: "They honored us...and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed" (Acts 28:10 NIV).

Stop worrying, God will provide what you need in ways that amaze you. If you're His child you're not the victim of circumstances. Your future is not in the hands of people, it's in the hands of God. And what He owns, He takes care of!

Bishop E. Earl Jenkins