Hope Not Seen

When we could not see the sun or the stars for many days, and the storm was very bad, we lost all hope of being saved. (Acts 27:20 NCV).

There is no darkness as heavy upon the soul of man as the darkness which settles in the heart of the one who has lost all hope. Hope is the anchor in the midst of a storm. Hope is the life preserver we wear when our ship is sinking. Were it not for hope life would be a meaningless existence as we trudge through our days with nothing better to look forward to. Dr. Luke summed it up when he wrote, “The storm was very bad.”

Enter the Apostle Paul with the message, “I have some good news and some bad news. The Good News is you will not die. The bad news is you will think you are going to.” When the moment of crisis arrived his advice was to stay with the ship. We see that it got worse before it got better. Cold, soaked, starved, frightened, and exhausted both physically and mentally, they got onto the shore. Three months later they were on their way again on another ship and with more groceries. God is true to His word; He keeps His promises.

You my friend may feel like you are on a sinking ship right now. It has been many days, months, or even years and you have not seen the sun or the stars. Maybe you have called out to the Master to rescue you many times and still the skies remain dark and you are continuing to be tossed to and fro. Let me encourage you with the Word of God: do not lose hope. Jesus came to give us the same message as Paul gave the sailors. It will get worse before it gets better. Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33 NKJV). If you are not on the ship with Christ get on board now. If you are on His ship, hang on. You will survive. Stay with Jesus and do not abandon Him. Help is not on the way, He is already here!