May 11

Ministry in Natural Disaster
When Human hope is lost
Acts 27:14-20

Read the Bible through:
AM - 1 Kings 1-2 PM -Luke 17:1-19

Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up

(Acts 27:20).

Have your hopes ever been dashed? Paul's voyage started with a kind centurion and normal expectations. Eventually, however, they endured troublesome winds. Now a stronger wind appeared, and storm clouds darkened the sky. Navigation was impossible without celestial landmarks. The ship tossed in blackness, far from Paul's destination of Rome. Human hope seemed dashed.

Paul looked beyond the circumstances. He knew natural disasters were opportunities to witness.

Trouble encourages us to look beyond ourselves. Jesus is our hope. We need to give our broken dreams and shattered plans to the One who delights in helping us. His perfect light illuminates our dark days, dark nights, and even darker hearts.

Father, the Bible tells me Paul was
"troubled on every side, yet not distressed . . .
perplexed, but not in despair" (2 Cor. 4:8),
Help me hide that verse in my heart.