Three Declarations of Paul in a Time of Trouble

I belong to Him. I serve Him. I believe Him.

In Acts 27 we find the apostle Paul in a very difficult, life-threatening situation. As one of a group of prisoners, he being transported to Italy by way of the sea. The crew ran into stormy seas. It came to Paul that not only would the ship be lost but they would all lose their lives. Paul tried to warm his captors but to no avail.

So Paul fasted and no doubt prayed much. Then, while clearly full of the Holy Spirit said these powerful words, which still ring true to us over 2000 years later.

“For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. However, we must run aground on a certain island.” (Acts 27:23-26)

In these passages Paul makes three declarations.

First, He said God is “to whom I belong.” This is critically important. Paul was in a perilous, life-threatening situation but he stood on the truth that he was not his own. Paul belonged to God. We too can surely make this declaration before God and the devil. “I belong to God.” Simple yet powerful life changing when we believe it.

Paul makes this truth in his bold statement in 1 Cor 6.

“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (vv. 19-20)

When our lives are in peril or when we are being spiritually attacked we confidently say “the God whom I belong” will bring me out.

Second, Paul said God is “whom I serve.” He recognized he served the great King and that this King would see him through the present trouble. We must also recognize that first and foremost, no matter what situations we face, we serve the great King of Kings. You see, Paul recognized that his mission from God had a much higher purpose.
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” (Col 3:23-24)

Paul’s third declaration was “for I believe God.” Paul refused to look at the stormy tempest sea. Instead he focused on the promise. Just as Peter walked on water by the word of Jesus, Paul believed God because of the word that came to him.

Abraham is a wonderful example to us in this regard.

“And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb.” (Romans 4:19)

Faith is the key here. Hebrews 11:6 tells us “But without faith it is impossible to please him…” It wasn’t just that Paul made those declarations. He made them in faith!

In the end, Paul and the entire crew were spared. They were saved by God through a man who understood that 1. He belonged to God. 2. He served God and 3. He believed God. God is no respecter of persons. All of these things are available to us.

Father, we thank you that we are yours. We are not our own. We say today that we serve you. Finally, we believe in you despite what we see, hear or feel. Make these truths real to us in Jesus’ name amen.