Waiting on the Lord
November 21, 2024
Many of us at Christ Church are making our way through the Book of Acts as we meet in Community Groups and gather on Sunday mornings. It’s been an exciting journey, fueled by the Holy Spirit, as the Resurrected Christ is living His life through faithful men and women.
Acts 27 is one of these exciting moments, where Paul is a prisoner on a ship heading for Rome, set for trial before Caesar. On the way, the ship encounters “a wind of typhoon strength,” a terrible storm. If you ever saw the movie, “The Perfect Storm,” which is based on the true story of those aboard the Andrea Gail, a commercial fishing boat that was lost at sea in 1991, you get the picture. It was bad.
For 14 days and nights, the storm raged and battered the ship that held Paul and 275 others. At dawn on the 15th day, there was a break in the storm. Those on board had no idea how long the reprieve would last nor what the future held, but Paul took the opportunity to pause – to take bread and give thanks to God. Acts 27:36 says, “Then everyone was encouraged and began to eat…”
Even though they had endured tremendous hardship and still had no idea what the future held, at Paul’s leading, they gave thanks, broke bread, and were encouraged.
This story reminds me a bit of the first European settlers to the New World. Sailing for more than two months across 3,000 miles of open ocean, enduring strong winds and monstrous waves, the passengers on board were squeezed below deck in crowded, cold and damp conditions. It was a treacherous voyage. And once they arrived, only 50 of the original 102 survived the first year.
And yet, at first harvest, despite the difficulty behind them and the uncertainty that lay ahead, on that first Thanksgiving, they paused, gave thanks, broke bread and were encouraged. Of course, that was the first Thanksgiving!
Regardless of the circumstances you face in this season – and many of you are in storms of your own right now – Thanksgiving is an invitation for God’s people to pause, give thanks, break bread and be encouraged.
Psalm 22:3 (KJV) says, “God inhabits the praises of His people.” Isn’t that great?! Praising God has a way of inviting God’s presence into even the darkest moments. And with His presence comes His love, peace, kindness, faithfulness and joy. It’s why 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to “… “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
As you break bread with family and/or friends this Thanksgiving, regardless of what is going on in your life, may you remember that God is with you. And may you remember that, in the midst of the greatest storm of Jesus’ life, He paused, gathered with His friends, gave thanks to His Father, and they broke bread together.
"Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!" 1 Chronicles 16:34
