“For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong” (Acts 27:23)

The Apostle Paul was a prisoner being taken to Rome on a merchant ship. Before the end of the journey, the soldiers and sailors would thank God he was on board. The ship was driven by a fierce tempest for three days. They did everything in their power to prevent the ship from sinking, including jettisoning the cargo. Paul was led by God to calm their fears.

He “stood in the midst of them and said ... ‘take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul … God has granted you all those who sail with you’. Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me” (Acts 27:21-26).

Paul encouraged the soldiers and sailors eleven days before his prophesy was fulfilled. That gave them eleven precious days to examine their hearts and seek God. For eleven days, the tempest blew and the skies were black, but they watched the Jewish prisoner act as if the skies were blue and the seas were calm. They all survived, and probably told the story thousands of times, how a Christian gave them courage when all seemed lost. Perhaps some of them trusted Christ as their Savior.

Around the year 320, a Roman soldier, assigned to watch 39 Christians being tortured to death for their faith, seeing their resolve to not deny Christ, threw down his weapon, and joined them in their fate. Dear reader, is this an hour of distress for you? Then ask God for special help. He may not deliver you from death, but He will assure you that your death is not in vain, and on the other side, eternal life awaits. Remember, it’s not how long you live on Earth that matters, it’s how many people you take with you to heaven.