The storms of life can take many forms and shapes. When you go through a personal storm - be it a financial storm, a family storm, or a storm at work or school - it brings disorientation, destruction of what is normally secure, and makes you feel cut off and alone.
As we saw last week in Acts 27, for the apostle Paul and those travelling with him, it seemed that there was no way out of this violent and seemingly never-ending storm. In fact, it says they had given up hope of being saved. Yet there was hope and a future beyond the storm that they thought would finish them off. And there is a future for you beyond the storm you may be facing. In Acts 28:1-10 we see that Paul, his friends, and all 276 on board a very battered ship, made it safely to an island in the Mediterranean Sea where they experienced new and unexpected blessings.
1. Be confident you are blessed
a. They were blessed with kindness (Acts 28:2; Matthew 25:35-36; 1 John 3:17-18)
b. They were blessed with protection (Acts 28:5; Isaiah 54:17; Genesis 28:15)
2. Be a blessing (Acts 28:8-9; Genesis 12:2-3; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
3. Receive a new blessing (Acts 28:7,10; Philippians 4:19-20; Proverbs 8:35)
Apply
Every day, no matter your circumstances, do you know that as a child of God you are blessed? Are you confident that God has new mercies for you every morning? Paul and his party were blessed in different ways when they reached Malta. They were blessed with kindness (Acts 28:2). The islanders went out of their way to look after them. The Maltese people who knew how violent the winter storms could be, could easily have stayed wrapped up in their own homes and lives. But they got out and reached out with compassion and built a fire to warm up these freezing cold strangers. This is a wonderful picture of how our Heavenly Father wants to bring us out of many cold and difficult circumstances and warm us up with his love and grace. And it is an example of how as Christians we must reach out to those who feel numbed with pain and are often vulnerable in hostile conditions (Matthew 25:35-36). How we care for those battered by the storms of life shows whether or not we are real Christians (1 John 3:17-18). Paul and those travelling with him were also blessed with protection. Having made it safely to land, Paul decided to help with gathering wood for the fire when suddenly a snake latched on to him, which the islanders imagined was going to kill him. They thought he must be a bad guy because one bad experience followed another. But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and ‘suffered no ill effects’ (Acts 28:5). And God used this moment to turn around everything that looked so bad for good. Maybe you have made it through some big storms but then another negative experience comes your way. You may think 'I've had enough, there's no end to my problems'. But you must keep your faith in God (Isaiah 54:17). If you keep trusting the Lord and resisting the devil he will flee from you. It’s your time to shake him off and experience your moment of deliverance and breakthrough. Each day is a blessing to all of us from the Lord and so we should live in thankfulness. You are blessed (Genesis 28:15). God Himself watches over you wherever you go and He will not leave you. The creator of the universe says He’s watching over you and will not leave you. You are blessed, so start believing and declaring this daily. As Christians we should always put our faith in God regardless of the trials we are facing, and choose to hold your peace, letting God fight your battle. His blessings are on the way after the storm.
Do you ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to people you can bless? The purpose of God’s blessing in our lives is to enable you to be a great channel of blessing to others (Acts 28:8-9). In one moment, Paul was struggling ashore and soon throwing off a snake. Then not long after he is at the centre of many miracles of healing that affected the whole community. When you come through your storm, it is not just to bless you but to position you to be a greater blessing to others. We should ask the Holy Spirit to lead us to those that we can bless. Walter Brueggemann, an American Old Testament scholar and theologian said, “A blessing is an act, gesture or word whereby one person transmits the power of life to another.” Abraham was blessed to be a blessing to us so we can be a blessing to the generations after us (Genesis 12:2-3). God expects us to pass on the blessings we have received (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
Do you believe God wants to bless you (Proverbs 8:25)? Where God guides, He always provides, and we clearly see this evident in Paul’s life. Whatever you are going through, know that there is a new blessing coming after the storm. Apart from the first blessings they received on the island, Paul along with the other men experienced more blessings during their time in Malta. They were blessed by the chief official of the island who welcomed them to his home and showed them “generous hospitality for three days” (Acts 28:7) They were also honoured in many ways on the island and received provision for their needs, after so recently being in such a big storm they thought they would die (Acts 28:10). So always be expectant of receiving a new blessing (Philippians 4:19-20). What a blessing to know God will meet all our needs. Wait on the Lord to receive new blessings. No matter how difficult your circumstance might be today do not unplug your faith but continue to trust in the Lord. Get closer to Him in prayer and by reading his Word daily. Remind yourself of His Goodness and blessings during past times. Decide today to live a life of complete surrender to God.
