Day 339

December 5th
Acts 27:1-44.  “Calm in the Storm”
         “Sometimes he calms the storm, sometimes he calms his child.” – Scott Krippayne
         The text doesn’t necessarily mention it, but I think that it is a fair assumption that Paul and his companions prayed for a safe journey on this voyage to Rome.  So why was it that they encountered such a strong and terrible storm?  Because God’s plan was never to give Paul an easy journey, but rather to care for and use Paul in the midst of the storm.
         You see, the providence of God is not like a get-out-of-jail-free card.  God does not guarantee His children an easy life, but He does promise that He will always be with us (Matthew 28:20).  In fact, sometimes God is even the one who brings the trials into our life in order to accomplish His plans and purposes in us and through us.  Like with the Apostle Paul, God will not remove all the storms from your life, but He will use you in the midst of those storms.
             Don’t ask God to remove the trials and difficulties of life.  Rather, ask Him for strength in the midst of it all.