An Anchor In
The Storms of Life
Steve W. Reeves
stevesermons.blogspopt.com
INTRODUCTION:
A. In October
of 1991 a commercial fishing vessel named the “Andrea Gail” and her six man crew from Gloucester, Massachusetts, were fishing in the waters of the
North Atlantic about 180 miles northeast of Sable Island. Unbeknonst to the crew,
weather conditions were quickly deteriorating. A massive low-pressure system
combined with an approaching front were poised to produce what became known as,
“The Perfect Storm.” Unable to reach a place of safety the “Andrea Gail” and her
crew were lost at sea.
1. Some of you may be sailing through the perfect storm in your life right now.
2. There are occasions in everyone’s life when the waves of perplexity sweep over
our souls and we struggle to keep our heads above water.
3. Where is God in such times? Does He see what is happening? Does He care?
Why doesn’t He do something?
B. There is a story at the end of the book of Acts that provides a firsthand account of life
during a tumultuous storm.
1. Paul, the apostle, had been accused of inciting a riot in Jerusalem. When he was
put on trial he exercised his right as a Roman citizen to appeal his case before
Caesar. Thus, he found himself aboard a ship sailing for Rome.
2. It was not smooth sailing on calm seas. The ship sailed into the teeth of a ferocious
storm. Luke described this storm with such vivid detail you can almost hear the
howling of the wind, feel the rain as it stings your skin, see the flashes of lightening
and hear the crashing thunder and the creaking of the timbers in that old ship
straining against the elements.
3. Acts 27:14-20 provides this description. “Before very long, a wind of hurricane
force, called the Northeaster, swept down from the island. 15 The ship was caught
by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were
driven along. 16 As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were
hardly able to make the lifeboat secure, 17 so the men hoisted it aboard. Then they
passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Because they were afraid
they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor
and let the ship be driven along. 18 We took such a violent battering from the storm
that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. 19 On the third day, they
threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 When neither sun nor
stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up
all hope of being saved.
C. Why is this story in the Bible?
1. The Bible is true to life. Our lives are not always calm and peaceful. There are
storms, hardships and difficulties.
2. What can we learn about God during the storms of life?
I. GOD DOES NOT ALWAYS CALM THE STORM. HE DOES CALM US.
A. In Matthew 8 Jesus calmed a storm on the Sea of Galilee.
1. The seasoned, rugged disciples were terrified and afraid they would perish.
They cried out, “Don’t you care we are about to perish?” Isn’t that the way we
feel at times when we are in a storm?
2. Jesus said, “Peace. Be Still.” The winds became calm and the sea tranquil.
3. There are times in life when God calms the storm.
B. But not always.
1. I saw a video clip recently of a well-known Pentecostal evangelist “rebuking” the
demon of COVID 19 and ordering it to die in the “name of Jesus.” Perhaps a
better expression would be, “God, you are in control of all things. Your will be
done.”
2. Sometimes God lets the storm rage in order that He might calm us within its
midst. Notice Paul’s admonition to the crew of the ship in verses 22–24,
“I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost;
only the ship will be destroyed. 23 Last night an angel of the God to whom I
belong and whom I serve stood beside me 24 and said, ‘Do not be afraid.”
2. The storm continued to rage but God calmed the hearts of those men.
II. THERE IS STRENGTH IN THE STORM
A. God uses storms to transform our life.
1. The disciples in the boat with Jesus had their view of Him changed. No doubt
they had seen Him as a teacher. Now, they marveled when he stilled the storm.
“Who is this that even the winds and waves obey Him?”
2. They could never have grasped the impact of that moment had there not been a
storm
B. When we come to Acts 27 God used the storm as a means of transporting Paul to
Rome. When you step back and see the entire set of circumstances leading up to
the storm you can see how God used all of them to accomplish His purpose.
1. The men aboard this ship made so many mistakes.
a. They acted hastily. In 27:9 the circumstances for the journey had not been
favorable. The whole trip on board the ship had been spent battling strong
winds. They came to a place called Fair Haven. Paul and other prisoners had
been transferred to another ship. The captain wanted to sail even though the
conditions were not favorable. It would have been better to wait but the
captain made a hasty decision.
b. They listened to poor advice. In verses 10-11 – “So Paul warned them,
10 “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great
loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.” 11 But the centurion, instead
of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner
of the ship.”
c. They listened to popular opinion. In vs. 12 – “Since the harbor was unsuitable
to winter in, the majority decided that we should sail on, hoping to reach
Phoenix and winter there.” The majority thought it was a good idea. The
majority, however, was wrong.
d. They did not look ahead. According to verse 13, “When a gentle south wind
began to blow, they saw their opportunity; so, they weighed anchor and sailed
along the shore of Crete.”
B. God can use our mistakes and our storms to accomplish His will. There is a
greater perspective on life than “here and now.” The proper gauge of life can only
be measured through eternity.
III. GOD PROVIDES A SHELTER
A. Even though the ship wrecked God provided a place of safety. Paul and his
companions were able to find safety.
B. David realized this great truth many centuries ago when he wrote in Psalm 46:1-3,
“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will
not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the
heart of the sea. Though its waters roar and foam though the mountains quake at
the swelling pride.”
C. In the midst of the strongest storm, the roaring sea and the deepest, darkest night
you can know that God is still there. Sometimes you do not see the sun because of
the clouds but it is still there and its presence is still felt. God is the same way.
CONCLUSION:
A. “When you walk through a storm hold your head up high and don't be afraid of the
dark. At the end of the storm is a golden sky and the sweet silver song of a lark.
Walk on through the wind, walk on through the rain, though your dreams be tossed
and blown. Walk on. Walk on. With hope in your heart, and you’ll never walk alone.
ou’ll never walk alone.”
B. Trust in Him who provides an anchor in the storms of life.
