Faith For Others

“Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.” (Ac 27:25 AV)

 

These words were spoken by Paul at the front end of a fourteen-day storm at sea.  This storm would eventually run their ship aground.  By a vision, the LORD gave Paul assurance that if the entire ship would trust Him, there would not be one soul lost.  The sailors and passengers were terrified.  Paul had warned them not to attempt this voyage.  He was no sailor, but he did know weather patterns.  He knew they were coming up on a seasonal change that would bring contrary winds to their voyage.  He counseled to stay in a less than ideal harbor for the winter rather than to attempt to sail to a better harbor.  The captain, crew, and Roman security forces did not listen.  They tried anyway.  It wasn’t too long after their departure when things turned bad.  At the beginning of their ordeal, Paul offers his faith as to how they would survive this storm.  HE offers his faith as to how they would be encouraged even though their world turned dark.  And it worked.  Paul’s faith carried them fourteen days and onto an island.

This reminds me of ministry to a bereaving family.  They are in the middle of a storm.  Their entire world has been rocked.  Especially if the death was a tragic one.  The LORD has asked me a few times to serve in this capacity.  They are not easy.  In one such case, there was a fatality caused by an accident.  I was serving as a chaplain at a local hospital and got the call.  When I arrived, the family was in a private waiting room.  Going in, there is little one can say to relieve the pain and shock which the family exudes.  Often, words are few.  The emotional trauma at the time causes most words to pass right through.  We can share Bible verses all we want.  We can say all the right things.  However, at such a time, most of what we share doesn’t penetrate past the wall of shock.  It is in these times one’s presence and demeanor matters more than the words one is using.  They look at your face.  They read the body language.  If the chaplain carries himself in such a way as to say, “everything will be all right”, then those experiencing the trauma will respond accordingly. 

Never underestimate the effectiveness of your faith.  Your faith can give hope to others who have none.  Your calm and assuring presence is something others we hold on to.  If you believe it will be o.k., then they will too.  Paul’s faith was so effective, these sailors were able to live in the hope of his faith for fourteen days.  That is saying something.  The faith and assurance Paul had saved the lives of everyone on that boat.  The faith Paul had led to the salvation of many on the island of Malta.  His faith that God is bigger than the storm completely changed the world in which he lived.  Sometimes we wonder what good we can do.  Will our lives matter?  Will our faith in God matter?  More than you will ever know.  It is astounding how powerful hope and faith are.  The hope and faith of one can infect all around him.  Next time we are in a storm with others who are struggling, maybe a little bit of faith on our part might be the right medicine to get us all through it.