Atos 27
William Barclay · Citado em PreceptAustin
Atos 27
Barclay - The prisoner had become the captain, for he is the only man with any courage left. For - Term of explanation - Explaining why Paul can confidently exhort them to take heart even though they are all in dire straits. I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told - This Pauline declaration of faith should be tattooed on the heart and mind of every follower of Christ, so that we might hold fast to the promises of the One Who holds us. Notice the last phrase as I have been told. What does that imply? Paul had heard the Word from God. How do we hear from Him today? In His Word and through His Spirit's illumination of the Word. Here's the practical point -- it is difficult to make this Pauline declaration if we don't know His precious and magnificent promises! We need to be in the Word daily, so that the Word gets into us, saturates our heart and mind providing a "divine reservoir" we can tap into when we are experiencing manifold or variegated trials and tribulations ("storms")! Of course, one of the most efficient ways to do this is by "eating" the Word, i.e., by regularly and intentionally memorizing it. If you don't know where to begin, see Memory Verses by Topic. Larkin comments that "Paul models for us the stance of one who is convinced that God's gracious purposes cannot be thwarted, even when outward circumstances call that conviction into question. It is not that he is simply a practical man in a critical emergency—"keeping his head when all about him are losing theirs" (contrast Bruce 1988:475). Rather, it is precisely because he is an "impractical" holy man, a Christian apostle who receives messages from angels, that he can be an encouragement in the fury of the storm. His strength comes from beyond the storm: he "believes God," that he can accomplish what he has promised. Such faith is the foundation for a life of encouragement." (The Apostle's Encouragement Acts 27:21-26) I believe (4100)(pisteuo) in this context speaks of Paul's faith, trust and confidence that he can rely on His faithful God for help in the time of need. Barton adds that "Having faith means taking God at His Word. It means relying wholeheartedly on the clear-cut promises of God. The issue isn't whether a person has great faith but whether he or she has faith in a great God." (Ibid) I love Laura Daigle's song "You Say" which repeats Paul's powerful words "I believe." O, that every person reading this right now might believe the precious promises of God with such a firm Spirit driven, Word centered, God glorifying assurance for Jesus' sake. Amen I keep fighting voices in my mind that say I'm not enough Every single lie that tells me I will never measure up Am I more than just the sum of every high and every low Remind me once again just who I am because I need to know Ooh oh REFRAIN: You say I am loved when I can't feel a thing You say I am strong when I think I am weak And you say I am held when I am falling short And when I don't belong, oh You say I am Yours And I believe (I) Oh I believe (I) What You say of me (I) I believe The only thing that matters now is everything You think of me In You I find my worth, in You I find my identity Ooh oh REFRAIN Taking all I have and now I'm laying it at Your feet You have every failure, God, You have every victory Ooh oh REFRAIN Oh, I believe (I) Yes I believe (I) What You say of me (I) I believe Paul is a man who demonstrates his unshakable faith in his God. Paul's faith was anchored in God. Priscilla J. Owens communicates this thought in these words: Will your anchor hold in the storms of life, When the clouds unfold their wings of strife? When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain, Will your anchor drift, or firm remain? We have an anchor that keeps the soul Steadfast and sure while the billows roll, Fastened to the Rock which cannot move, Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour's love. (Baker New Testament Commentary – Exposition of the Acts of the Apostles) H A
Atos 27
Barclay quips ""It could never be said of Paul as it was said of some people that 'they were so heavenly minded that they were of no earthly use.' He knew that hungry men are not efficient men; and so he gathered the ship's company around him and made them eat."