What to do in Crisis (2)

yinka ogunlami

March 18, 2016 10:35 AM

“On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands.”

'Don't Look Back'

Memory Verse: Acts 27: 9 – “On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands.”

The Word for Today devotional by United Christian Broadcasters (UCB) says:

Do not discard what is important. Things did not get any better on the Apostle Paul’s voyage to Rome. ‘We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard.

On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard’ (vv. 18-19 NIV 2011 Edition). Note the things they discarded:

a) Their cargo - that which is precious and valuable.

b) The ship’s tackle - the very thing that could have stabilised them.

c) Their food - that which they needed to sustain them.

d) Themselves - they all jumped overboard and started swimming to shore.

When we find ourselves in a crisis, we are tempted to ditch the very things we need most - things that are important to us; values we have hung on to in better times. Under pressure, we want to get rid of it all.

We become compulsive. We give up on our dreams. We run out on our relationships. We throw away the important principles we learnt as children.

Joshua told the children of Israel, ‘But you are to hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have until now’ (Joshua 23:8 NIV 2011 Edition).

Instead of doubting God’s promise to you, stand even more firmly on it. Instead of abandoning His plan and purpose for your life, tighten your grip on it.

‘Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain’ (1 Corinthians 15:58 NIVUK 1984 Edition).

‘Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ’ (Philippians 1:27 NIV 2011 Edition).

That is how you survive - and thrive in a crisis.

yinka ogunlami