A Religious Leader Gave Up Hope

His faith impacted the world. yet…

He was a well known religious leader whose faith impacted the world, yet he openly acknowledged. He had given up all hope of being saved.

I was tempted to point my finger. Cookie cutter advice rushed through my mind. “There’s no way he could have given up hope, not when he knew God.” I leaned back into my chair with raised eyebrow and squinted eyes as I analyzed his words. I caught myself and switched gears to imagine myself in his shoes. Would I have done as well given the same situation?

What was it like to be arrested for faith and forced onto a boat as a criminal? How did people react when they heard chains clanging from his feet as he walked past in prison clothes? Did they jeer? Snarl? Did they whisk their children away to safety? Did his loved ones weep?

The voyage was difficult from the start. But there came a point where the threat was so severe, that he knew. People would lose their lives. This man of God (now a prisoner) pleaded with leadership to take a different route, but they absolutely refused to listen. He was outnumbered and had no choice. He had to go.

Before long, hurricane winds grabbed the boat and threw it off course. Though he knew and loved God, he still encountered dangerous, difficult, violent battering with great fear during this part of his journey. In fact, it was literally so dark he could not see the sun or stars for a long time. In his words,

“We finally gave up all hope of being saved.”

Who was this man? He was none other than the Apostle Paul who tells this account in the Book of Acts chapter 27. His story continued and Heaven intervened. In spite of challenge upon challenge, lives were saved and the purposes of God were fulfilled. He ended up bearing so much fruit in life that we are still being helped thousands of years later.

Dearest Reader, do you relate? Have you been battered from long seasons of darkness and difficulty? Has the storm raged so severe that you have given up hope? Though my story is not your story, I’ve been through such times as well. I can testify to this.

Dark seasons do not have to mean a dark future.

I think of Jeremiah 29:11

“I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Though heartache engulfs your soul, would you please consider praying this with me…

Lord, I invite You into my darkness and pain. I confess that I’ve lost some hope. In spite of that, I choose to lean into Your caring heart. Forgive me for entertaining thoughts that You intend harm towards me. Deep inside, I do believe You have plans to prosper me and to give me hope and a future. I might not know what those plans are, but surely they are good, and surely You know what those plans are. I choose to put my trust in You, Lord. Anchor my soul with hope that comes from you. Amen

Here’s a link to Acts 27 so you can read the full account of Paul’s difficult voyage. https://biblehub.com/niv/acts/27.htm