A Pause to Ponder God's Word
"No Contingencies"

The boat left the harbor and set sail for Phoenix. They had not been out at sea long before a fierce storm arose. Fear swept over the ship. Even the experienced sailors were frightened. But one person on the ship remained calm. After exhausting their skill, know how, and energy the sailors gave up all hope of being saved. It was then that the calm one stood and announced that he knew how they could be saved. Paul went on to tell them God had revealed to him that not one would be lost if they would follow his instructions. His faith was in God. There was no need to fear. The ship would run aground, but their lives would be spared. Everything happened just as Paul said it would.

The details of this story are recorded in Acts chapter 27. The account reveals some unusual occurrences. One detail that leaps out of the story is that every possible lifesaving devise had to be thrown overboard and cut loose in order for the people to be saved. In the end, not only were all lifesaving items discarded, even the food was thrown overboard leaving the crew and passengers at the absolute mercy of the storm - actually at the mercy of God. What a vivid living parable of what our lives in Christ are to be. The abundant, complete life Jesus offers cannot be experienced as long as we have contingencies. Jesus put it this way: "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it."

We live in a day of contracts that always have contingencies written in. We always want a back door, a way of escape. We want life boats. To absolutely abandon ourselves to anything is foolish to modern minds. The wise person trusts no one and always has every possible contingency covered; at least that is the what we are taught. As wise as this may sound, it is actually foolishness. Our salvation lies in Jesus alone. Just like those on the ship, as long as we keep hold of our devises we draw ever closer to drowning. Keeping life boats on board only weighs us down. Keeping the anchors dragging only inhibits our moving forward. All our efforts to save ourselves are futile. We must release everything and place ourselves at the absolute mercy of God. As Oswald Chambers puts it, we must thrust ourselves with "reckless abandon" upon God.

This event ends with thunderous simplicity - everyone reached land in safety. God was faithful. He remains so today! We can trust Him! It is as Romans 12 says - in view of God's mercy our most reasonable worship is to offer our bodies a living sacrifice. Therefore, beloved, let us thrust ourselves upon God and His mercy today and everyday. There is no other way to be saved!

Keep Close To Jesus
Pastor Gerry


A Pause To Ponder God's Word is written and distributed by Gerald Whetstone, Ordained Elder and teacher in the Church of the Nazarene. These devotionals may be transmitted, duplicated, used in part or in entirety without permission for nonprofit purposes only. Responses welcome. To Subscribe Click Here.
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