Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.

If patience is a virtue, as they say, then I’m really bad at virtues. I am the world’s worst at forcing the issue. It seems like every time I see something I could find useful, whether it be musical equipment, tools to do work around the house, or the latest pointless Shark Tank failure, I not only purchase it, but I click that quicker shipping button. Yeah, you know the one I’m talking about. The option that costs just a little bit more and claims to be faster. It never fails, due to my impatience, I pay extra, and it always arrives later. I know I have a problem. Admitting it is the first step.

This example is a much smaller one in comparison to what it might look like to rush the plans of God. How often have you been presented with an opportunity and immediately jumped on it thinking, “This must be from God” (even though you never spent the time praying about it or seeking His guidance) and in the end realize that you made a mistake? Luckily, Paul shows us in Acts 27 what it looks like to trust in the plan of God and stay patient.

Paul was being transported via ship to Rome with 275 Roman soldiers and citizens in order to appeal before Caesar. It was smooth sailing until a wind called the northeaster forced the ship into chaos. The storm was so great that it lasted over 14 days and tossed the ship all over the sea like a ragdoll. During everything, Paul stood up and revealed that an Angel of the Lord revealed to Him that no one would lose their life; they had to stay on the ship and run aground on a certain island (Acts 27:22-26). Now, for context, don’t forget that Paul is the prisoner in this situation, but the level of desperation had to be great at this point, so the men trusted him.

In verse 30, we see the impatience of the sailors. It says that some men were trying to let down the skiff and escape with the hopes of surviving on their own. I mean, who can blame them? Have you seen Titanic? Paul then told the Roman soldiers aboard in Verse 31, “Unless these men stay in the ship you cannot be saved.” The soldiers then proceeded to cut the ropes to the escape boats.

You see, God’s promise of safety to Paul meant trusting and being patient that He would do what He said He would do. The second the sailors tried to circumvent the process, they were simultaneously trying to circumvent the promise. When we trust the Lord and rely on His timing and His plan, we not only get to see the result but the glory.

In the end, every man survived as they went ashore on an island called Malta. Sometimes, most times in fact, we react instead of responding to the plan of God. We try to force the process and miss out on the promise. Take your time, listen, pray, stay on the boat.

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God’s Word.
• SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today’s passage?
• OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises? 
• APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you? 
• PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.