When There Is Neither Sun Or Star In The Sky

And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away. Act 27:20 

And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land. Act 27:44 

Paul as a prisoner was on ship travelling to Rome with others, to meet Caesar to whom he had personally appealed for the hearing of his case in Acts Twenty Five. It is then, while at sea, that the winds became “contrary,” Indeed it became so tempestuous that at one time they had to lighten the ship by throwing overboard some of their cargo. It is then that Paul remarks “And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.”

But though they were in such dire straits, Paul never lost hope, telling his colleagues: “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.”

You’re probably at sea too at present, my brother and my sister. The elements seem to have conspired against you. The wind has become contrary and the sea storms rough. You are in the water and it has reached your neck. You are in awe of another mishap, because you will drown.

May be it is the marriage. It is at sea. Or it is a relationship. It is floundering. The waves are beating it from all directions. Gusts from the wind have torn the sails and now your ship is let loose at sea. The sky is overcast. The looming darkness is oppressive. The world looks like it is coming to an end. Probably you are saying with Paul “And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.”  Don’t lose hope. Hold on there.

Or it’s the work. There is no hope in it. The bills are rising up in stacks, threatening to go through the roof. And the threat you will lose it if you don’t deliver looms large. Probably it is the health. It has depleted your body. It is torn and the wound is suppurating. The air is suffocating. The savings are depleted. The assaults on your body and mind are crushing.

The strength ebbs and your feeble hands attempt to fight back in vain. The sky is black and overcast. The gloom oppressive. Earth and heaven seem to be in league and their bands sound like they are upheaving for the encore. And neither sun nor stars have appeared to you in many days. And all hope you should be saved is gone.

Such a time visited Paul and his colleagues. And such a time is probably visiting you now. Take courage. Many of the Lord’s saints have traversed that valley of the shadow of death. They had lost hope. But “it came to pass, and they all escaped safely to the land.” You will get there too. Don’t let go of the rein. Hold on.

Paul does not hide that life even for Christians is not without hardships. “For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life.” These things happen to Christians. At times we despair even of life itself. But no matter what state he was in Paul never lost hope, never lost faith, “for by faith ye stand.”

Paul never looked at the rock he was standing on. He looked to another rock which was higher than himself, even The Rock of Ages, which is Christ Jesus. He looked to it alone and he was saved. He trusted to it alone and he was saved. He believed in it alone and he was saved. “Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us.” It is on faith that we stand. On faith alone that we walk. By faith alone that we see.  

God says, “Look to me. Don’t look at the immensity of your trouble. ‘Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for me?” God still asks us that question today. He stands waiting to hear your own answer to that.

Peter once asked His Master, “if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.” Jesus said, “Come…” And Peter did. He walked on water. But then he turned his eyes from the One who said, “Come.” He looked down at the immensity of the water lapping below him. And at that instant Peter began to sink.

So yours is quite heavy and unbearable too? Don't look down. Look straight at the One who says, “Come.” He sees and He hears. When he saw he was sinking Peter did not trouble to remember he was a man. He cried to Jesus to save him. And Jesus did that. Have you tried Him? Please do. He is merciful to hear us, and mighty to save us. “A bruised reed shall he not break.” No. “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

Paul and his colleagues had not eaten for two weeks. They had lost their luggage. Neither the sun nor the stars had appeared. Then their ship sunk.

Your relationship is over. Your business is out. Your debtors have come and washed you clean. Your health has depleted your energy and your savings. You have nothing. You are at sea and now the ship has sunk. Pick what is left and get to the shore.  “And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land… some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship.” You will get there too my brother. You will get there too my sister. It may be on a board or a broken piece but you will get there.