Devotional - July 9, 2004

Years ago there was a commercial on TV that said, "It's not nice to make fun of Mother Nature." I've forgotten what they were selling, but it's amazing that most people think they can master the force of nature until they find themselves in the middle of a storm. Then like everyone else, they look for shelter from its effect until the danger has passed.

Paul and his companions which included Luke the writer of Acts, knew the Master of the sea, the controller of the sea. But, even though they knew Him personally, they also had a healthy respect for a storm at sea and knew to get out of it when it was in their power to do so. On the way to Rome, Paul warned those in charge against sailing, but they disregarded him. It wasn't long before they gained true respect for Paul and his advice, but it took a hurricane to change their mind.

Hindsight is truly better than foresight. Looking back, it doesn't take a genius to think you could've made more informed decisions. But looking forward, only those with a word from God can know what to expect. And they are the ones who are spending substantive time in prayer with God. How much time is substantive? If you're like Daniel, it's just a little more (time).

Daniel prayed, asking God to reveal the meaning of the king's dream. He said, "He (God) changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things, he knows what lies in the darkness, and light dwells with him." (Daniel 2:21-22)

When the storm almost turned the ship over, everyone on board, including Paul, thought they were dead men. What if the men had only listened to Paul's words? They would have been safe at port, sitting by the fire and waiting for the storm to pass rather than inhaling the frigid waters of the sea up their nose.

The men transporting Paul didn't know God so they certainly had no respect for Paul's revelation. They had no reason to listen so they suffered the effect of a closed mind. Their ignorance is understandable, but what about you? God has revealed himself to you through Scripture and the Holy Spirit. You hear; you know it's true, but you ignore what you know to be true for the sake of having it your own way.

If the description above applies to you, the Psalmist had you in mind when he wrote, "He who digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit he has made. The trouble he causes recoils on himself; his violence comes down on his head." (Vs. 7:15-16)

Want to learn a lesson today? Then determine to pray and ask God to reveal himself to you. Be certain however, to listen to what He says, take the message to heart and do whatever He leads you to do. Anything else and you'll be looking up from the bottom of a pit you dug with your own hands, enjoying tribulation and heartache you invited in.

1 Developed from Read the Bible Thru ( 1 Ch. 7:1-8:40 Ac. 27:1-20 Ps. 7:1-17 Pr. 18:22 )
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society