Even the winds and waves obey Him!

“From there we put out to sea again and passed to the lee of Cyprus because the winds were against us. When we had sailed across the open sea off the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we landed at Myra in Lycia. There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy and put us on board. We made slow headway for many days and had difficulty arriving off Cnidus. When the wind did not allow us to hold our course, we sailed to the lee of Crete, opposite Salmone. We moved along the coast with difficulty and came to a place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea.

Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Day of Atonement. So Paul warned them, 'Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.' But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship. Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided that we should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there...”

Sometimes when the winds blow against us and moving along becomes difficult, we need to stop and do a check of our course. Are we headed in the right direction? Are we forcing something we should not? If we grit our teeth and keep going in the wrong direction, it could prove to be disastrous.

Other times, the wind blowing in the wrong direction and creating difficulty is because we are right in God's will for our lives. When we are serving God and partnering with Him on bringing His kingdom, we will at times find that this stirs things up and creates some difficulty in our lives.

Paul many times ended up beaten, left for dead or thrown in prison. He was used to facing difficulty and did not let it detour him. He headed right into difficulties when he knew it was God's will for him.

“Coming over to us, he took Paul's belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, 'The Holy Spirit says, 'In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.' When we heard this, we and the people pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, 'Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, 'The Lord's will be done. After this, we started on our way up to Jerusalem....”

Like Jonah, in the first situation, God is calling us to repent.  When we do, God is quick to show mercy and strengthen us in his way.    With Jonah, God divinely helped him to complete his call.   

Another example of this is with Sampson.   He continually went in the wrong direction, but when he would repent and turn to God, he would regain his strength.  Judges 16:28 says, Then Samson called to the LORD and said, "O Lord GOD, please remember me and please strengthen me just this time, O God..." 

And in the second situation, when we are bringing the kingdom, God is calling us to stand strong in Him. The difference in the two situations is that when we face difficulties as the kingdom of God is coming, God will strengthen us to go through it. As we suffer for Christ and not for our own will, we will find that God more than meets us and helps us to overcome.

Paul says in Philippians 4:11-14, “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress.”

Lord, help us to see where we are going in the wrong direction and be quick to repent and follow you. And when we are suffering for your will, give us the strength and courage to stay faithful and not give up.