I Believe God

In the storm there was no sun and no stars for many days, and “all hope that we would be saved was finally given up” (Acts 27:20). Then Paul said, “I believe God that it will be just as it was told me” (27:25).

What Paul trusted. Paul was not trusting the weather or the sailors. He was trusting what God had said.

God’s word is right. “For the word of the Lord is right, And all His work is done in truth” (Psalm 33:4). Right means true and good. God never says anything false.

God’s plans stand. “The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations” (33:11). Counsel means plans and decisions. People’s plans change, but God’s plans do not.

A good God. “He loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord” (33:5). The God who speaks to us is good, so His words are good too.

Plans that fail. “The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing” (33:10). The sailors had a plan to reach Phoenix, but God’s plan was the one that stood.

Strength runs out. “No king is saved by the multitude of an army; A mighty man is not delivered by great strength” (33:16). The sailors were strong and skilled, but strength could not save the ship.

God’s eye. “Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy” (33:18). God could see that ship the whole time.

Waiting with hope. “Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield” (33:20). A shield protects you from harm.

Hope in God. “Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, Just as we hope in You” (33:22). Our hope is not in how things look. It is in God.

What God told Paul. Paul told the men, “there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship” (Acts 27:22). He knew it because God had said it.

Just as God said. In the end, “they all escaped safely to land” (27:44). Every person lived, just as God had told Paul.

When things look hopeless. Maybe someone you love is sick, or your family is going through a hard time. You can still believe God. His word is right even on the darkest day. Tell a parent or a trusted grown-up too.

The gospel. We have all sinned, and we cannot save ourselves. Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). God says everyone who trusts Jesus is forgiven, and His word is right.

What to do. This week, read one promise from God’s Word each day. Say, “I believe God,” and thank Him that His word is true.

Paul told the frightened crew, “Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God” (Acts 27:25). Long before Paul, David wrote a prayer for days when he was afraid. It is Psalm 56.

A hard time. David had enemies who were against him all day: “there are many who fight against me, O Most High” (Psalm 56:2).

Telling God the truth. David did not pretend. He told God, “All day they twist my words” (56:5). You can tell God the truth about what scares you.

Trust and praise. “In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?” (56:4). Flesh here means people. People are weak next to God.

Praising His word. David praised God for His word. He held on to what God had said, just as Paul did in the storm.

God is for me. “When I cry out to You, Then my enemies will turn back; This I know, because God is for me” (56:9). God is on the side of His people.

Said again. “In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (56:11). David said it twice. Faith can answer fear again and again.

Kept from falling. “For You have delivered my soul from death. Have You not kept my feet from falling, That I may walk before God In the light of the living?” (56:13).

Thanks ahead of time. “Vows made to You are binding upon me, O God; I will render praises to You” (56:12). David promised to thank God, sure that God would help him.

Like Paul. Paul trusted God in the storm, and his trust helped everyone around him: “Therefore take heart, men” (Acts 27:25).

Trust is a choice. Trusting God does not mean you never feel afraid. It means that when you feel afraid, you put your trust in God.

When you are afraid. If you feel scared at night or worried about something, pray. Then tell a parent or a trusted grown-up how you feel.

The gospel. Our biggest danger is sin, and only God can deliver us from death. Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Everyone who trusts Him is saved.

What to do. Learn Psalm 56:11 this week. When fear comes, say, “In God I have put my trust.”