No Options: Driven into His Will
So when the ship was caught and could not head into the wind, we let her drive. Acts 27:15 NKJV
Paul had a rendezvous with destiny. Caught in the maw of a monster storm, Paul’s ship had its guidance system ripped away. His storm-tossed, helpless ship eventually ran aground on the island of Malta. All of this played right into God’s plan. Paul was able to bring the gospel to Malta accompanied by miracles, signs, and wonders.
The storm episode teaches us a lesson. There comes a time in every spiritual leader’s life when one runs out of options. The fierce winds of adversity overpower us. But they only propel us headlong into God’s predestined plan. The Master of the seas is still in charge. Billows His will obey.
This is one of the great mysteries of God’s will. Sometimes we discover God’s will. Other times we are unwittingly pressed into it by the force of circumstances. The Word of God is filled with heroes of faith who were driven, unawares, into God’s perfect plan.
David had not studied and planned to kill a giant. But that young delivery boy could not ignore the taunts of the cursing, bellicose Philistine warrior. Goliath left David with no other option but to fight.
Esther was left with no options when evil Haman plotted to destroy the Jews. This led her to call for all Jews to fast. Then she dressed up for her emergency appeal to the king. The success of her plan provided a way of escape for all Jews living in Babylon. Haman was hanged on his own gallows! And we still celebrate this victory today at Purim, the Feast of Esther.
Mary did not aim to birth her baby in a manger in little Bethlehem. However, the brute force of Augustus Caesar’s census tax left her no option.
The Book of Daniel is filled with no option moments, such as the three Hebrew lads and the fiery furnace. Remember Daniel in the lions’ den, when God shut the mouths of the lions?
We are reminded of these episodes here at Prayer Mountain Dallas. There were times when we were like Paul’s storm-tossed ship. Our sails tattered, we felt helplessly driven. All we could do was just “let her drive.” No options. But the Lord always sent us a word to stay with the ship. The storm’s force however propelled us into a haven of rest, into the center of His will. We would not have chosen that way. But it sure turned out right. Only God could have done this!
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