Praying for Daylight

Praying for Daylight

Imagine being a passenger on an ancient sailing ship caught in the midst of a hurricane for two weeks.  Shrouded in darkness, pummeled by waves, wind and driving rain. With no power or navigation, the ship is driven by the storm. The situation so dire that the ship's crew tossed all the cargo overboard to lighten the load and used ropes to surround the bow of the ship just to hold it together.  Hopelessness gripped their hearts.  In desperation, they lowered all their anchors and prayed for daylight. 

Have you ever found yourself  "praying for daylight?"  Enveloped by the darkness of the unknown, tossed about by waves of fear and doubt, feeling powerless as you are consumed by the storm.  "Praying for daylight" is our desperate cry for help.  You probably haven't been on a ship swallowed by a hurricane, but you may have been overwhelmed with fear and a feeling of hopelessness by one of life's storms.  Loss of a job, a broken relationship, health issues, the death of a loved one... are among the kinds of storms that foster anxiety, discouragement, depression and despair. 

Among the 276 souls aboard that fateful ship bound for Rome was the missionary Paul, who was a prisoner facing trial before the Roman emperor for proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ.  Yet, Paul was the only one on that ship who still had hope .(Acts 27:14-44)  His hope was not based upon the strength of the ship or the ability of the crew.  His hope was grounded in his relationship with God.   

The sailors lowered four anchors in their hope of keeping the ship from crashing into the rocks.  Paul's hope was already anchored in the assurance of God's guidance, God's love, God's power and God's presence in his life.   With those four anchors, Paul was able to ride out the storm with his hope in God, as well as save everyone on the ship with him.  Those same anchors can help you weather life's storms, too.

Paul's Anchors of Hope

The Light of God - "Jesus said, "I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."  (John 9:12)  God will show you the way, when you are willing to trust His directions.

The Love of God - "This is love; not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."  (1 John 4:9)  God loved us so much to send His Son to die for our sins, then we can trust that God desires only the best for you, even when we can't see it at the moment.

The Power of God - "God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.  Therefore, we will not fear."  (Psalm 47:1)  We can trust that God is all powerful.  He has the power to calm the storm, as well as the power to calm the storms of fear and doubt inside of you.  

The Presence of God -  "God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)  God has promised that He will always be with you.  He will never, ever desert you.  

The light of God surrounds you, 

The love of God enfolds you, 

The power of God protects you, 

The presence of God watches you.

Wherever you are, God is, and all is well.

by James Dillett Freeman

As a follower of Jesus Christ, you always have hope.  "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure."  (Hebrews 6:19)