Acts 27:35-36 After
Paul said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all.
Then he broke it and began to eat. They were all encouraged and
ate some food themselves. (NIV)
It was a desperate moment. The Roman galley that Paul was
traveling to Rome in, was about to be shipwrecked. The soldiers, sailors,
passengers, and prisoners were panicking and all hope seemed to be lost. In the
midst of a terrifying storm with breakers all around them, no one thought they
were going to survive.
Except for Paul. He knew that this was all part of God’s
immense plan to bring the Gospel of Christ before the Emperor in Rome. He
understood that his mission still needed to be completed. He could have taken
his chances, jumped overboard, and perhaps survived in order to escape his
captivity. Instead, Paul gathered the people on board together, broke some
bread in front of them, and publicly gave thanks to God. He wanted to show them
that the apostle’s faith in God was absolute and that they had nothing to fear.
It worked. The ship’s crew and all the others also ate
some bread; perhaps, they too gave thanks to Paul’s God. Whatever they did,
their survival was assured because Paul was completely confident that God would
save them all.
Perhaps you’re going through an unsettling time or are currently
experiencing some trouble. Maybe you’ve had bad news or been given unexpected
health concerns. Perhaps a family member is struggling or you’ve recently been
disappointed. Whatever your circumstances, make time to let God be part of what
you are going through. Ask God for strength and support, as well as giving Him thanks
for just allowing you to voice your concerns and raise your worries in prayer.
You may also like to take some bread and break it quietly in His presence,
allowing yourself to feel His peace in your mind, heart, body, and soul. It
works – just ask the apostle Paul 😊
Point to ponder
Do I need God’s help
today? Am I willing to ask Him for what I need?
Prayer: Lord Jesus,
break bread with us today, so we may know that You are with us. Guide us
through our present situations and enable us to retain our faith and hope in
Your everlasting love. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
John Stuart is the pastor
of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville,
Tennessee. Come and join us for worship on Sundays at 11:00 AM. You will be
made very welcome 😊
Today’s image is one of
John’s Communion drawings called “New Day.” If you would like to view a larger
version, please click this link: NewDay.
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