“For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, “saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ Acts 27:23-24
The Apostle Paul was on a journey. This journey did not begin when he boarded this Alexandrian ship which is sailing for Italy. No, his journey began back a few chapters, in the ninth chapter of Acts, before he got his new name and was known as Saul of Tarsus. One day when he was on his way to Damascus to arrest any Christians he found there and have them put to death, it all began.
It was on the road to Damascus that he had an encounter with Jesus that literally knocked him off of his horse and turned his life around. The Lord sent him to a man named Ananias, who knew full well who Saul of Tarsus was and why he was coming into their town. But the Lord revealed to Ananias the specific purpose He had for Saul — to bear the name of the Lord before Gentiles, kings and God’s people, the children of Israel.
So, with that in mind, Paul was on his way to stand before Caesar Augustus, having refused to be released from prison. He was fulfilling God’s will for his life. It was obviously a treacherous journey, for they had already thrown provisions overboard and all onboard were about to perish. Or so it would seem. But because Paul is blessed, they will be saved.
Jonah found himself in a similar situation as far as the ship and crew were concerned. But there was one huge difference — Jonah was running from God’s will and Paul was right where the Lord had him. There are going to be storms in life, that’s a given. The key is to be where God has you, even if it involves some storms. You don’t want to be on that ship with Jonah or anyone who is running from the will of God!
Joseph brought blessings with him everywhere he went. That sounds strange, given all of the trouble he had in his life. Betrayed and sold as a slave by his very brothers only to end up in the house of one of Pharaoh’s officials, Joseph remained faithful to God and, as a result, this Egyptian’s household was blessed.
God’s way is not always the easy way (basically, it’s never the easy way!) but it is always the way of blessing. Not only are you blessed when you do the will of God and choose the path He has set before you and pursue the purpose and destiny He has for your life, but something else wonderful happens along the way — you become a blessing to others as well. You are so blessed it spills over onto those who are sailing with you.
Without even trying, just by obeying God yourself you are a blessing to others because those around you are going to get at least a touch of that blessing that is on you. God has given you promises to hold on to concerning your household. Your choice to follow Jesus and press on even in the midst of opposition and a storm or two or three or several, puts you into a place of blessing. Like Joseph, you bring a blessing to your work-place as well as to your home and to those you love — to all those who sail with you!
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