Articles
I Believe God
Luke recorded in Acts 27:25, “Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even so as it hath been spoken unto me”.
These were Paul’s words which he spoke to fellow-passengers after they had spent several days tossed to and fro on the Adriatic Sea. Most passengers had lost hope and Paul’s words that God assured him all would survive cheered and encouraged them. Paul spoke these words with confidence because of past experiences he had when God spoke to him: everything God had promised always came true.
First, after he had seen the great light which shined brighter than the noon day sun, and been instructed to go into Damascus where he would be told “all things” that he must do, a man named Ananias would come and lay hands on him and heal him of his blindness. After seeing the vision he could not see and had to be led into the city. He would also be filled with the Holy Spirit. Ananias did come, lay hands on him, restored his sight, and told him “all things which thou must do” which included, “And now, why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 9, 22, 26). Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke with tongues (1 Corinthians 14:18-18), received his sight, and secured forgiveness. In short, everything God had promised him.
After spending time after his conversion speaking in the synagogues in Damascus (and then time in Arabia but returning to Damascus, Galatians 1:16-18), he went to Jerusalem where he was warned by God to get out of the city because the unbelieving Jews there would not receive testimony from him. The events of Acts 21:27-22:22 showed Paul that God knew what unbelieving Jews in Jerusalem would do when he sought to testify to them.
On his second journey (Acts 16-18), Paul established churches in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea with his companions Silas, Timothy and Luke. These men were left behind (presumably to strengthen and establish the infant churches) and Paul traveled on alone to Corinth. He had been beaten and imprisoned in Philippi, and driven from both Thessalonica and Berea. When he arrived in Corinth, he was alone. He went about his work of teaching but when Silas and Timothy joined him, his spirit was lifted and he spoke with boldness. Again, God spoke to him and said, “Be not afraid but speak and hold not thy peace for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to harm thee: for I have much people in this city” (Acts 18:10). There was conflict, but no man “set on him to harm him” and Corinth did have many people who received the gospel. The historian records “and many of the Corinthians hearing, believed and were baptized” (18:8). The Lord’s words were true.
When he carried contributions from Gentile Christians to Jewish Christians in Jerusalem, and as he traveled toward Judaea, there were prophets who warned that affliction and bonds awaited him (Acts 20:22-23). And so, it came to pass.
In Jerusalem and after being severely beaten and imprisoned, once more the Lord spoke to Paul and said, “Be of good cheer for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness of me in Rome” (Acts 23:11). He would survive! He would preach in Rome as he longed to do! It happened just as God said it would!
In the midst of a storm en route to Rome, once more God spoke to Paul to strengthen and assure him that he and the other 275 passengers on the ship would survive. Paul was confident that they would be safe and said, “Wherefore sirs, be of good cheer for I believe God that it shall be even as it was spoken to me”. He survived and so did they!
The Lord never failed him and Paul said as he faced the executor’s sword, “I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that He is able to guard that which l have committed unto him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:12).
God has spoken to us through His Son in His Word (Hebrews 1:1-2). He has given us exceedingly great and precious promises (2 Peter 1:4), not only in the world to come but also for our present age. Why should we doubt that He will do what He promised? Let us say with Paul, “I believe God that it shall be even as it was spoken unto me”.
