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I. FAITH IS HERE SHOWN TO BE THE ACCEPTANCE OF WHAT GOD SAYS TO US AS TRUE AND FINAL. The angel of the Lord assured Paul that the lives of all those on the ship would be spared, and he believed the statement in spite of the storm which was threatening to destroy them, in spite of the despair of all on board, and in spite of his own opinion, previously expressed (ver. 10). So also should it be with our attitude toward God's words as revealed in Scripture, and especially towards His chief revelation, the witness which He has borne to His Son (John 3:33; John 5:37). Acceptance of that testimony is the faith which constitutes us Christians.

II. CHRISTIAN FAITH MUST BE EXERCISED IN THE FACE OF DIFFICULTIES. It shines in the dark. When the difficulties disappear, faith becomes sight. For example, Paul on this voyage was the victim of injustice. He was innocent, his persecutors themselves being judges. Then, this guiltless prisoner was made to encounter perils which seemed to strike at the very roots of God's promises. He had not only hoped to have a prosperous journey by the will of God, that he might preach the gospel in Rome (Romans 1:10-15), but the Lord had definitely promised him the privilege of preaching there (Acts 23:11). Such things as these are hard for human nature to bear. Yet it is just such things that usually form the soil in which faith must grow. The difficulties of our life are the opportunities of our faith, So, while his unbelieving associates on shipboard fall into despair, Paul is kept calm and confident by the promise of God, which he hears and trusts. They experience an unrelieved sense of danger and loss; he waits for the compensations of Divine love. They have no future, and impending death fills them with hopelessness; but he, fearing not death but sin, is assured of eventual safety through his eternal Friend in heaven.

III. THOSE WHO HAVE CHRISTIAN FAITH ARE SUSTAINED BY GOD AS THEIR ACTUAL NEEDS REQUIRE. He does not suffer them to fail. In the climax of his sufferings Paul still possessed many helps and comforts. He had two Christian companions, whose friendship must have been a source of solace. Divine providence was likewise friendly. Sheltering Clauda had been set in its place by God's foresight. "The sea is His, and He made it." Even Euroclydon was a "stormy wind fulfilling His Word" (Psalm 148:8). "All things work together for good to them who love God." Accordingly, there came to Paul one of His "ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation," who announced that Paul's desire and God's promise were both to be fulfilled in Paul's safe arrival at Rome. So does revelation explain and supplement the mysterious works of God. As that angel spoke to Paul the New Testament speaks to us. If we have attentive and reverent ears to hear it, we shall find it an anchor in the storm, a compass in the darkness, a herald of hope in the hour of despair. For providence is God's gloved hand, and Scripture is His open heart.

IV. FAITH VIGOROUSLY USES ALL THE MEANS OF SELF-HELP. It is no supine influence in life. Consider, e.g., the course of Luke, who wrote this narrative. He displays learning here, particularly in a most skilful use of nautical terms and in the grouping of geographical facts. The same spirit of activity is manifest in St. Paul. If all that sailed with him were granted to him, it must have been in answer to his prayers — a chief instrument of faith in securing her objects. He and St. Luke seem to have helped with their own hands in doing what they could to fight the storm. Like James, then, Paul also holds that "faith without works is dead, being alone." In this connection observe that it is faith, and not doubt, that yields all the positive elements of virtue. Faith is the tap root of morality. Doubt is paralysing; faith is vitalising. In particular, notice the superiority which it gave to the character of Paul.

1. It filled him with resolute fortitude, while even the sailors fell into despair.

2. Paul showed the true dignity of Christian character. Prisoner as he was, faith gave him authority over all on board.

3. Despised as he has been also, he feels and shows the tenderest sympathy with them all, and he pleasantly exhorts them to be of good cheer. Many a lowly disciple of Christ, after being contemned by careless souls in the days of prosperity, becomes suddenly welcome in the hour of critical danger.

V. THE FIRST OBJECT WHICH BELIEVERS SET BEFORE THEMSELVES IS TO GLORIFY GOD BY SAVING SOULS. Paul turns the minds of the suffering ship's company away from himself to God, "whose," he says, "I am, and whom I serve." The chief part of his revelation is not so much that their lives are to be spared, as that they are all to be granted to him as a disciple of Christ. Would we be able to forget the perils of the sea to preach the gospel to drowning men?

(S. J. McPherson, D. D.)

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KJV: Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

WEB: Therefore, sirs, cheer up! For I believe God, that it will be just as it has been spoken to me.