Trusting God in the Chaos
There’s an old proverb that says. “Man plans, and God laughs.” I’ve found it to be true.
Life rarely goes according to our plans. We map out our future, set our goals, and expect smooth sailing—until the storm hits. One moment, we’re on course; the next, we’re battered by crises beyond our control. The Apostle Paul knew this well. His journey to Rome was filled with false accusations, imprisonment, shipwreck, and even a serpent bite. Yet, through it all, he was exactly where God wanted him to be.
Paul’s life is a reminder that God’s will is not always safe, predictable, or easy. But it is always sure.
The Unpredictable Path of God’s Sovereignty
When Paul was arrested in Jerusalem (Acts 23), the Lord appeared to him and promised:
“Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.” (Acts 23:11)
Paul knew he was Rome-bound, but he had no idea how difficult the journey would be. Three times he was declared not guilty, yet still, he was sent to stand before Caesar. He endured resistance, disaster, and suffering, but at no point was he outside the will of God.
John Calvin once wrote:
“We are nowhere safer than in His hand. For when we cast ourselves upon His providence, we are sure to be preserved by His power, governed by His wisdom, and protected by His goodness.”
Paul’s story reminds us that God’s will often unfolds in ways we wouldn’t choose. Yet, even in the storm, God is working for His glory and our good.
Know Whose You Are
As Paul faced a literal storm at sea, he declared:
“For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship.” (Acts 27:23)
Paul knew his identity. Long before he was a prisoner of Caesar, he was a prisoner of Christ. His life was not his own—it belonged to Jesus.
The Heidelberg Catechism captures this truth beautifully in its first question:
Q. What is your only comfort in life and in death?
A. That I am not my own, but belong—body and soul, in life and in death—to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil. He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven; in fact, all things must work together for my salvation. Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.
This is a radical statement in a world obsessed with self-ownership. We live in a culture that says, “My life. My money. My will. My needs.” But Scripture tells us otherwise:
“You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
The blood of Christ that cleanses us also claims us. We are not just freed from sin; we are freed for Christ. We belong to Him.
The great hymn The Church’s One Foundation reminds us that we are Christ’s new creation, his Bride, that “from heaven he came and sought her to be his holy bride/with his own blood he bought her/ and for her life he died.”
Know Whom You Worship
Paul didn’t just know whose he was—he also knew whom he worshipped. Whether in prison, in a storm, or in a shipwreck, Paul worshipped God. A careful reading of the text shows Paul leading the ship’s crew and passengers in prayer, a message, and a eucharistic meal - a worship service - in the middle of a raging storm that looked like it would end their lives.
Too often, people say, “I don’t need church—I worship God in nature, on the golf course, in my own way.” But here’s the truth:
If you only worship in comfort, you won’t worship in crisis.
If you only praise God in prosperity, you won’t trust Him in trials.
As Charles Spurgeon said:
“To trust God in the light is nothing, but to trust Him in the dark—that is faith.”
Paul’s worship wasn’t circumstantial; it was rooted in the unshakable character of God. That’s why he could stand in the middle of a raging storm and say with confidence:
“I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.” (Acts 27:25)
Know Who You Serve
Paul understood that his mission was not about himself. When the storm hit, God didn’t just spare Paul—He spared everyone on the ship because of Paul’s presence (Acts 27:24).
This principle is true in our lives as well. God places us in families, workplaces, and communities, not just for our benefit, but to be His witnesses in the storm. When crisis comes, people will look to those whose faith is anchored in Christ. In our suffering, we serve not only Christ but also those with us in the storm. This takes us back to the cross, to the place of Jesus’ own suffering on our behalf, the ordeal he endured to secure our forgiveness, to free us for his service, and to liberate us from death.
Until we see the purchasing power of Christ’s blood, we won’t truly know that we belong to Him. Until we see the sovereign power of God, we will curse Him rather than praise Him in the storm. But when we fix our eyes on Jesus, we find the strength to persevere. We know we are His, rest in His power, and serve Him with joy.
The Anchor in the Storm
Paul’s journey was not an easy one. But his faith remained unshaken because he knew who was in control. And that same God is with us today. Whether you’re in the calm or the storm, remember:
You belong to Jesus.
He is worthy of your worship.
You are called to serve Him.
Spurgeon once said,
“I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages.”
May we do the same. Even in the storm, we can trust that God is at work.
Take heart. The storm will not last forever—but the promises of God will.