“…But before very long there
rushed down from the land a violent wind, called Euraquilo; and when the ship was caught in
it and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and let ourselves be driven along … we were scarcely able to get the ship’s boat under control …they used supporting cables in
undergirding the ship …they let down the sea anchor …The next day as we were being violently
storm-tossed, they began to jettison the cargo; and on
the third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands.
Since neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no
small storm was assailing us,
from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned.…” (ACTS 27:14-19 NASB).
*
In this scripture, an Euraquilo wind was a
seamen’s term for an eastern or northeastern wind common in the winter season
on the island of Malta. It was this violent, tempestuous, and hurricane wind
that caused the shipwreck in Acts chapter 27. “…But before very long there rushed down from the land a
violent wind, called Euraquilo…” (ACTS 27:14-19
NASB).
The Euraquilo wind has been known to cause
horrific waves, lasts for days, and cause much death and property destruction.
When the Euraquilo wind BLOWS, usually resistance is useless. “… when the ship was caught in it and could not face the wind, we gave way to it … (ACTS 27:14-19 NASB).
In this story, the seamen CHOSE to sail, which
led them into a STORM with so much WIND FORCE they had to surrender the ship to
its POWER. “… when the ship was caught in it and could not face the wind, we
gave way to it and let ourselves be driven along … (ACTS
27:14-19 NASB).
Some STORMS are unexpected, but sometimes
you are warned the storm is approaching, but CHOOSE to face the risk anyway, in
hope, you will come through them in your
OWN strength. “…the infamous nor’easter,
struck. They lost all control
of the ship.
It was a cork (a powerless object) in the storm…”
(Acts 27:15 MSG).
People often prefer to
be the controllers of their own STORMS in LIFE. Nonetheless, a Euraquilo wind
is the enemy of all human control or autonomy. “…the
ship … was a
cork
in the storm…” (Acts 27:15 MSG).
Every human effort, the
seamen made, to keep THEIR SHIP undisturbed by the STORM or to keep things as
NORMAL as possible failed. “…they
used supporting cables in undergirding the
ship …they let
down the sea anchor …The next
day as we were being violently storm-tossed,
they began to jettison the cargo; and on the third day they threw the
ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands..…”
(ACTS 27:14-19 NASB).
The seamen struggled and struggled to AVOID
the STORM’S disruption or damage to their SHIP, but it did NOT work. “…Since neither sun nor stars
appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing us, from then on all hope of our
being saved was gradually abandoned.…”
(ACTS 27:14-19 NASB).
They COULDN’T control
the WIND. We can’t control death, evil people or their attitudes, injustice,
the stock market crash, some sicknesses, haters of your faith, divorces, etc.
INSIDE “certain” STORMS of LIFE it is
unusually impossible to remain dependent upon human effort or
strength. “But
the people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue to live as WE WANT TO, stubbornly following our
own evil desires…” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT).
Unfortunately, inside A
STORM some people think of themselves as self-sufficient, but eventually even
they realize they can’t sustain control. “…Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to
think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is
of God…” (2 Corinthians 3:5 KJV).
King Nebuchadnezzar
thought his sufficiency was his OWN human effort and strength. “…King Nebuchadnezzar. … was walking on the
roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, “Is not this the
great Babylon “I” have built as the royal
residence, by “my” mighty power and for the
glory of “my” majesty?” (Daniel 4
NLT).
King Nebuchadnezzar did
what he believed was right in his OWN eyes. “….The way of a fool is
right in his own eyes…” (Proverbs 12:15 KJV). “…There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death...”
(Proverbs 14:20 KJV). “…There is a way that
seemeth right unto a man,
but the end thereof are the
ways of death….” (Proverbs 16:25 KJV).
King Nebuchadnezzar CHOOSE his OWN way and
did not heed God’s warning that a STORM was coming. “Those
who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in
wisdom are kept safe…” (Proverbs 28:26 NIV).
King Nebuchadnezzar trusted in his OWN
self-sufficiency. “… he
said, “Is not this the
great Babylon “I” have built as the royal residence, by “my” mighty power and for the glory of “my” majesty?” (Daniel
4 NLT).
“But the people replied, “…We will continue
to live as WE WANT TO, stubbornly following our
own
evil desires…” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT).
King Nebuchadnezzar kept doing whatever he
wanted to do and did not HEED the warnings of the coming STORM. “…But my people would not listen to me. They KEPT DOING WHATEVER THEY WANTED, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts…” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT).
God is in control of
HIS world and people are being self-sufficient “WITHIN” his world. “All the
peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing.
He (God) does as he pleases (not mankind) with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the
earth…” (Daniel 4 NLT).
Thus, people think because they have
self-sufficiency within the scope of their SMALL little world, they also have
self-sufficiency within the WIDE scope of God’s much LARGER world. “…He (God) does as he pleases (not mankind) with the powers of heaven and the
peoples of the earth… (Daniel 4 NLT).
The events, situations, circumstances, or
the STORMS of LIFE that happen are ALL under God’s sovereign control. “… No one can hold back his
hand or say to him: “What have you done?” (Daniel 4 NLT).
Job did not have control over what
happened to him. If he did have control, he would have stopped it. “One day
when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest
brother’s house, a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and
the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and made off with
them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped
to tell you!” While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said,
“The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the
servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” While he was
still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three
raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. They put
the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons
and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house,
when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four
corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only
one who has escaped to tell you!” (Job 1:13-20 NIV).
Job could NOT control “ANY” of the events
that happened. Job relinquished and respected the sovereign control, he came to
recognize, to God. He also did it with the right attitude. He said “… though he (God) slay me, yet will I trust in him…”
(Job 13:15 KJV). Job also said, “Naked I
came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed
be the name of the Lord…” Job 1:20-22 NASB).
When the loss of self-sufficiency leaves
you helpless and vulnerable; you will either give way to discouragement and
anger or you will surrender control to God. “… when the ship was caught in it and could not face the wind, we
gave way to it and let ourselves be driven along … (ACTS
27:14-19 NASB). “…all hope of our being saved was
gradually abandoned.…”
(ACTS 27:14-19 NASB). “… Jehoshaphat
… BEGGED the Lord for
guidance.” (2
Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).
A loss of self-sufficiency will allow people
to see, realize, and discover the LIMITS of their human effort and strength . “….Apart from [Jesus],
[they]… can do nothing…” (John 15:5
NIV).
The less strength a person has over the
STORMS of LIFE; the less self-sufficiency they realize they truly have too. “…They lost all control of the ship…”
(Acts 27:15 MSG).
A loss of self-sufficiency is ALWAYS a
struggle for some people, but, in the midst of the STORMS of LIFE, if God’s
people call on HIM he will help them. “...Let us therefore
come boldly unto the throne of GRACE
… and find GRACE to help in time of
need…” (Hebrews 4:16 KJV).
The STORMS of LIFE may last for moments,
minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, or years. “…King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken
from you. You
will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will
eat grass like the ox. Seven
times (years) will pass
by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign
over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.” Immediately
what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled…” (Daniel
4 NLT).
To experience the loss of self-sufficiency
can often become unbearable, humbling, hopeless, full of anger, and frightening.
“…Since neither sun nor
stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing us, from then on all hope of our
being saved was gradually abandoned.…”
(ACTS 27:14-19 NASB).
In the story of Lazarus in John 11 it
seems God did not intervene in a timely manner. … Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had
not died… ” (John 11:20-22 KJV).
In the loss of self-sufficiency it may
seem “too late” or impossible for God to fix what seems completely hopeless and
out of control. “…the
things which are impossible with men are possible with God…” (Luke 18:27 KJV). “….I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: IS THERE ANY THING
TOO HARD FOR ME?” (Jeremiah 32:27 KJV). “…NOW UNTO
HIM THAT IS ABLE to do exceeding
abundantly above all that we ask or THINK, according to the power that
worketh in us…” (Ephesians 3:20 KJV).
It is normal, for a self-sufficient person,
to feel angry and “OUT” of control INSIDE the STORMS of LIFE. “…all hope … was
gradually abandoned.…”
(ACTS 27:14-19 NASB).
A loss of self-sufficiency is a sign of
human limitations and can cause discouragement. Paul said: “…I urge you to keep up your courage, for there will be no loss of life among
you, but only of the ship. …I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told…” (Acts 27:22-25 NASB). “….And
so it happened that they all were
brought safely to land…”
(Acts 27:44 NASB).
God is sovereign over STORMS of LIFE. Therefore, “…Trust in the Lord
with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding…”
(Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV).
The STORMS of LIFE can’t be controlled
with human self-sufficiency or with limited human strength. Only God can control our STORMS and
process us victoriously through them. “…the things which are impossible with men are possible with
God…” (Luke 18:27 KJV).
Wherever you have been robbed of human self-sufficiency
or strength; it is a good time to acknowledge your helplessness and submit the
outcome to God. The bible says, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own
understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge
him, and he
shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV).
No matter how BIG the storm God can still,
“…do far more abundantly beyond all that [you]… ask or think,
according to the power that works within [you]…” (Ephesians 3:20 NASB). “…Only
believe” (Mark 5:36 KJV).
The loss of self-sufficiency and strength
is very frightening for some, but comfort, rest, and a sense of safety can be
gained by trusting that God can DO the impossible. “…the things which are impossible with men are possible with
God…” (Luke 18:27 KJV).
God’s incredible POWER to FIX our storms
is often incomprehensible. “… But as it is written: “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the
things which God hath prepared for those who love Him…” (1 Corinthians
2:9 KJV). “….And so it happened that they all were brought safely to land…”
(Acts 27:44 NASB).
In the story of Lazarus Jesus showed up in
God’s sovereign timing!!! At God’s appointed time, “… [all could see]...the glory
God (his presence, his goodness, and his power), [and]…that the Son of God (the
Word) …[was also]…glorified thereby…” (John 11:4 KJV). “….And so it happened that they all were brought safely to land…”
(Acts 27:44 NASB).
The enemy of God’s sovereignty is man’s
refusal to let go of human self-sufficiency and relying upon the limitation of
human strength. “…not
My will, but Yours be done…" (Luke 22:42-43 NIV). Jesus came to do God’s will. “…I seek NOT mine own will…” and submitted to
His will. “…but THE WILL of the Father which hath sent me...” (John 6:38 KJV). “…For I have come down from heaven NOT TO DO MY WILL BUT to do THE WILL of him who sent me…” (John
6:38 NIV).
When God or his Word is not sovereign
INSIDE your STORMS, your outcome will be a lot different than Job’s, Daniel’s.
the Hebrew boys, Peter’s, or the seamen. “….And so it happened that they (the seamen) all were brought safely to land
[because God’s Word said they would]…”
(Acts 27:44 NASB). However, “…whatsoever
a man soweth, that shall he also reap….” (Galatians 6:7 KJV). “….For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh
reap corruption…” (Galatians 6:8 KJV). “…But my people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they
wanted, following the stubborn desires
of their evil hearts. They went backward instead of forward”” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT).
God is ALWAYS in control, but he is not
controlling. “… No one can hold back his
hand or say to him: “What have you done?” (Daniel 4 NLT). However, “… I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing:
therefore [YOU]…choose
life…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV).
Even in a loss of self-sufficiency you can
“STILL” willfully chose to follow your OWN way, which will always be in
conflict with God’s willingness to HELP you. “…my people would not listen to me.
They kept doing whatever they wanted, following
the stubborn desires of their evil hearts. They went
backward instead of forward”” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT).
The seamen listened to the word given
through Apostle Paul the second time. “….And so it happened that they all were brought safely to land…”
(Acts 27:44 NASB).
God rightfully
has sovereignty over his world and everybody that dwells it in. “…The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they
that dwell therein…”
(Psalm 24:1 KJV). “… He (God) does as he pleases with
the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth… (Daniel 4 NLT).
God’s has CONTROL, but
he is NOT controlling, YOU have the “human will” to choose your OWN way. “… I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing:
therefore [YOU]…choose
life…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). “…my
people
would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they
wanted...” (Jeremiah
7:24 NLT).
If you have been through or are going through
a STORM simply surrender the outcome to God’s will. “…"Father, if you
are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done" (Luke 22:42-43 NIV). “…If the Lord will, [I] shall live, and do this, or that...” (James 4:16 KJV).
To be self-sufficient is to depend upon
the limitations of your own control or human strength. To surrender to God is
to depend upon the unlimited control of God’s sovereignty such as his love, his
care, and his empowering strength. “…the things which are impossible with men ARE POSSIBLE WITH GOD…” (Luke
18:27 KJV). “….I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: IS THERE ANY THING
TOO HARD FOR ME?” (Jeremiah 32:27 KJV). “…NOW UNTO
HIM THAT IS ABLE to do exceeding
abundantly above all that we ask or THINK, according to the power that
worketh in us…” (Ephesians 3:20 KJV).
“… when the ship was caught in it and could not face the wind, we
gave way to it and let ourselves be driven along … (ACTS
27:14-19 NASB). “…the infamous nor’easter,
struck. They lost all control
of the ship.
It was a cork in the storm…”
(Acts 27:15 MSG).
Once a STORM is set in
motion; it cannot be retracted. The atmosphere is disturbed and normal is
disrupted. An Euraquilo wind is the
enemy of self-sufficiency. “…the ship … was a
cork
in the storm…” (Acts 27:15 MSG). The SHIP
could no longer be supported or sustained by human self-sufficiency or strength,
but it became weakened, submissive, and subservient to the STORM.
If a Euraquilo wind is blowing through
your life and you have given way to it, by becoming frightened, weak, anxious, powerless,
nervous, overly concerned with the outcome, helpless, or discouraged; then:
BOLDLY CALL ON GOD. “...Let us
therefore come boldly unto the throne of GRACE … and find GRACE to help in time of need…” (Hebrews 4:16 KJV). “…Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not
unto thine own understanding…” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV).
Has your self-sufficiency
weakened and human strength weakened during your STORM of LIFE? Are you WILLING
to SURRENDER the outcome of the STORM to God’s sovereign love, care, and
empowering strength?“… Jehoshaphat was
terrified by this news...”
(2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).
“...God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help
in times of trouble. So we
will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains
crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam ...“Be still, and know that I am
God ... The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of
Israel is our fortress...” (Psalms 46 NLT).
God will FIGHT for his
people and TAKE CARE of the things that concern them. “…He helps me…”
(Psalms 28:7 NLT). . “…If God is
for us, who is against us? ... …”
(Romans 8:31-39 NASB). “...No weapon that is formed
against thee shall prosper...” (Isaiah 54:17 KJV). “…The LORD will accomplish (take care of)…that
which concerns [you]…” (John 14:31 NASB).
“….And so it happened that they all were brought safely to land
(to their destiny)…”
(Acts 27:44 NASB).
Godspeed,
Dr. Pensacola
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