So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.
Acts 27:25 NIV
The story of Paul’s journey to Rome offers a powerful picture of peace in the storm. As he travelled by sea with other prisoners, the voyage quickly descended into chaos. Fierce winds battered the ship, fear overtook the passengers, and eventually, they faced a harrowing shipwreck. Yet even before that final disaster, the journey was marked by turbulence and terror.
While those on board despaired, Paul stood out—not because of his status, but because of his spirit. Amid fear and confusion, he remained calm. His composure was striking, his confidence unwavering. Paul wasn’t relying on favourable conditions to feel safe; he had found a deeper source of rest. His peace in the storm was spiritual, not circumstantial.
It’s worth asking: how did Paul remain so steady while surrounded by danger? What allowed him to speak hope when others had given up?
The answer lies in the assurance God had given him. Paul had warned the crew early on that the voyage would bring great loss. “I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also,” he said (Acts 27:10). His insight wasn’t guesswork—it was a prompting from God. But they dismissed his warning, and the journey continued into calamity.
Even then, Paul wasn’t shaken. When the storm raged and the crew desperately threw cargo overboard, he stood with renewed strength. He shared a divine message he had received the previous night. “An angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you’” (Acts 27:23-24).
Paul believed what God had told him. That belief became the foundation of his courage—and the courage he offered others. He boldly declared, “Keep up your courage, men…”
This kind of faith doesn’t come from human strength. Left to ourselves, we often waver in crisis. But Paul’s courage flowed from a divine source. It was sustained by faith and fuelled by intimacy with God. His peace in the storm became a shelter for others. Through his trust in God, 276 lives were filled with hope.
Though Paul was technically a prisoner, he emerged as the spiritual leader on board. When some sailors tried to escape, Paul warned that their survival depended on everyone staying together. The crew listened—not because Paul held a title, but because he spoke with authority born of communion with God.
His words mattered because he had heard from heaven. His leadership carried weight because it flowed from a life surrendered to the Lord. That kind of clarity in crisis can only come from one who walks closely with God.
Meanwhile, Paul described God as “the God to whom I belong and whom I serve.” This identity was his anchor. He didn’t merely know about God; he belonged to Him. That belonging gave him access to divine wisdom, strength, and peace.
Such confidence doesn’t come through convenience or casual acquaintance. It grows through daily surrender and trust. Those who cultivate a real relationship with God will discover that He is faithful, not just in moments of calm, but right in the heart of the storm.
If we desire peace in the storm, we must start by asking whether we truly belong to God, not in name only, but in heart and life. The storms of life will come, but those who belong to the Lord are never left to face them alone. He speaks to us, strengthens us, and walks with us through every trial.
Paul’s story reminds us that God does not simply remove us from storms—He transforms us through them. And often, through one believer’s faith, others find the courage to carry on.
Living It Out
Whatever storms you may be facing—be they physical, emotional, or spiritual—know this: God is present. He is not distant or indifferent. He is near to those who belong to Him.
Choose today to draw closer. Surrender your fears and entrust your journey to the One who holds your future. Like Paul, let your life echo this declaration: “The God to whom I belong and whom I serve.”
There you will find lasting courage, unwavering strength, and true peace in the storm. Meanwhile, you must first belong to Him if you are not yet.