Hold firm

EXHORTATION through the BOOK OF LIFE

Scripture to meditate on:

“And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭27‬:‭22‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/114/act.27.22.NKJV

*HOLD FIRM, TRUST IN GOD*

What do you do when you are in a truly perilous situation? One afternoon, as I was crying out to God about something, He interrupted me and said, “Samuel, do you know that I do not hear the cry of my children when they are in despair?” “What?” "I replied." He said, "I hear the cry of despair of a sinner because that's all he can do, weep. But once you are born again, son, you should cry out in faith. I hear the cry of faith."

What does it mean to cry out in faith? It means calling forth things that are not as if they already existed (Romans 4:17). This is what the Bible means when it says, "Let the weak say, 'I am strong'" (Joel 3:10). The apostle Paul knew how to use the cry of faith. That's why, in Acts 27, he urged the men on that ship that was adrift to take courage. He was telling them to begin acting in faith. Can't you imagine what those sailors were thinking when he said that? Listen to that foolish preacher. We're sinking, and he says, 'Take heart.' We've thrown everything we have overboard, and he says, 'Take heart.' Good luck.

You may feel like those sailors right now. You may feel like your ship is sinking. You may want to cry out in despair. But don't. Instead, do what Paul said and be cheerful. Cry out to God in faith and say, “Lord, I will not panic. I will not despair. I will rejoice because Your Word says You will deliver me from this situation” (Psalm 34:20).

Then, begin to be joyful. This may require more determination than anything you have done before, but God will give you the strength to do it. He will empower you to be joyful in the midst of the darkest darkness the devil can raise. Instead of crying out in despair, adopt an attitude of faith. Sing, rejoice, and praise God for your deliverance. Be cheerful, and you can be sure that God will carry you through the entire storm.

Jesus’ beloved !