1126. Hope 'Mid the Darkness
Hope 'Mid the Darkness
"And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.
"For there stood by me this night the angel of God, Whose I am, and Whom I serve.
"Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.
"Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer; for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me" (Act_27:22-25).
It is refreshing that in the very heart of this storm, the Apostle Paul stood forth with a message of hope. The message did not predict that the storm would abate, nor suggest that the sea would become calm. There are those who seem to feel that the orthodox should expect victory over the heterodox. For our part we see no hope of overthrowing the sweep of the apostasy. We do believe that in the midst of the storm, and in spite of it, we may have good cheer.
1. Paul exhorted them to be of good cheer. The word "good-cheer' makes you think of the word "gospel." "Gospel" is an old English word which means "good spell." The Gospel is the good news from the far country. It is "good cheer" indeed. Did not the angels announce to the shepherds, "Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy"? This is just what we can have amid the storm. We can take God's Gospel, His word of cheer, and hug it to our heart. It will bring us the news of our being safely brought to land.
2. The basis of good cheer. Paul said, "There stood by me this night the angel of God, Whose I am, and Whom I serve." Any testimony that God gives is dependable. How blessed it is, that, as we are voyaging across a storm-tossed sea, we can have the Lord with us! He will send His angels to do us service, to encamp round about us. He will give us His Spirit to be our Comforter.
3. The Word of good cheer–"Fear not." How wonderful! When the disciples met in the upper room, Christ came unto them and said, "Fear not." When the disciples were on the stormy sea, Christ came walking upon the waters, and said, "Fear not."
Years ago we saw a picture which a religious cartoonist had drawn. It described a great rock. Across the rock was written the words, "The impregnable Word of God." Men with little sticks were standing at the foot of the great boulder trying to upset it. The cartoonist had written upon their sticks the words "Higher criticism." Beneath the picture were the words, "The Rock is in no danger of falling." We need not be afraid–the storms of doubt and of skepticism are wild about us, but God is saying, "Do not be afraid; fear not, I will bring you safe to land."
The real attack of the wind of higher criticism is against the Son of God. Everything centers on Him. They would rob Him of His Virgin Birth; they would rob Him of His atoning work upon the Cross; they would rob Him of His authority and power; they would rob Him of His seat at the Father's right hand; they would rob Him of His return and His reign on David's throne. The time is coming, however, when the Master will arise against those who defame Him. He will descend from Heaven with judgment and fiery indignation against all of those ungodly men, who, in their ungodliness, have spoken against Him.
Fierce and wild the storm is raging
Round a helpless bark,
On to doom 'tis swiftly driving,
O'er the waters dark!
On a wild and stormy ocean,
Sinking 'neath the wave,
Souls that perish heed the message,
Christ has come to save!
Daring death thy soul to rescue,
He in love has come;
Leave the wreck, and in Him trusting,
Thou shalt reach thy home!
Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR