Acts 27:29-38 And fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come. And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, and had lowered the ship’s boat into the sea under pretense of laying out anchors from the bow, Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved." Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship’s boat and let it go.
As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, "Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you." And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves. (We were in all 276 persons in the ship.) And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.
Nothing shows true submission to any authority than trust and obedience to that authority's promises. Here Paul showed his submission to God best when in the mist of dangerous circumstances and the discouragement of others he boldly says he believes God.
Notice when all others were exhausted, hungry and fearful Paul remains positive concerning God's promise of safety. This was not an attitude that promoted Paul's positive thinking, but a genuine belief that God would perform His promise in face of all that seemed hopeless. Imagine being layed off from your occupation with no human guarantee of return any time soon. When all you co-workers are fearful about how the bills will be payed and food will be put on the table for the family. Those are real concerns and from a human view defiantly hopeless. Now comes the hard part for you as the workplace Christian. The need of the hour is for someone to express and live out Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Like Paul, even though there will be resistance and even contempt, there will be those who will be encourage towards God at least in the long run and you may never in this world see that happen. But we will all be surprised as to who really was influence in that crisis.
With the down turn of the world economy, God's people have an opportunity not seen since the 70's and early 80's to shine in darkness. There are co-workers, neighbors and even family members who may never know how to navigate through the crisis of life until they see and hear someone who is submitting to God's promises. Not when it is easy but when it is the most difficult.
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