Article August 21, 2017 Issue

The shelter of divine law

Charlene Anne Miller

Have you ever felt anxious about the weather or some other apparently out-of-control situation? We can be comforted to know that we are always under God’s protection. In the book of Acts in the Bible, we read that St. Paul survived shipwrecks and many other difficulties, including being bitten by a venomous snake. I find his many proofs of the presence and power of God deeply inspiring.

For example, before sailing to Italy, Paul prayed for guidance. He then urgently warned the ship’s owner and Julius, the centurion, that the voyage would be disastrous unless delayed. But the ship sailed anyway, right into a violent storm. Yet Paul’s courage and confidence in God were indomitable. Two weeks of storms passed. Then after earnest prayer, he encouraged everyone, telling them that an angel of God, a divine message, had told him that the ship would be lost, but the 276 men aboard—prisoners, crew, and soldiers—would be safe. From this point on, Julius and the others heeded Paul’s orders and survived shipwreck (see Acts 27).

We might ask ourselves: “What did Paul know with such certainty? Is that same divine guidance and loving protection available to us today?”

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

Marking the perfect man