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Asked Prayers are Answered More Often that Unasked Prayers.
We make choices, but circumstances often interfere with progress. Let me state that
differently. David is our secondary, but necessary subject, and later in life, David is
going to see Bathsheba, commit adultery with her, and murder because of her. When
he comes to see his sin, he repents, begs for and receives forgiveness, but the conse-
quences of his circumstance override his situation. He lost a child in the matter, but
God forgave him. He never committed adultery or murdered again, but he was sub-
ject to a long period of war during his reign.
Reaping and sowing. This one law of God and nature would help so many lives if
God’s children understood it. If we realized daily how our decisions impact our lives
- -Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that
shall he also reap. -- What a difference it would make in our later years.
Meanwhile, back on the ship...
The passengers and sailors are reaping their decision to disregard Paul’s warning to
stay in a safe harbor. But Paul, who would have taken his own advice, is reaping the
consequences of their actions as well. That’s the answer to the battle cry of every
teenager on the planet: My choices don’t impact anyone else!
So when God says all these in the ship will be alive
at the end – Paul relays that message: stay in the
ship. We can hear his logic convincing the passen-
gers: “I’m not getting into the boats; you ought to
stay out of the boats. God’s promise was to me, so
I have some authority in the decision process.”
Act 27:21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said,
Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have
gained this harm and loss. :22 And now 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. :23 For there stood by
me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, :24 Saying, Fear not,
Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that
sail with thee. :25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall
be even as it was told me. :26 Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.