“I told you so.” Don’t you love it when people tell you that? Do you ever say it? If only people would listen to us, we could spare them so much difficulty. Or so we imagine.
In Paul’s case, the “I told you so,” message was warranted. He had tried to warn the group not to sail. But they were determined to get to Rome. In a storm, at sea, without food, they despaired of life. Then Paul said, “You should have taken my advice.” Thankfully, Paul did not stop with, “I told you so.” Instead, he encouraged them. Specifically, he put courage in them by promising that none of them would be lost, but the ship would be destroyed.
The only thing more frightening than being in a storm in a ship, is being onboard a ship that sinks in a storm. What did Paul know that they needed to know? Like Jonah before him, Paul served a God who calmed storms. Paul’s God sent an angel to reassure him. Not only would Paul be safe, but so would everybody else on board.
Think of the thing you fear the most. What if you knew for sure that it would not ultimately harm you? What if we believed that God is working all things together for our good to make us like Jesus? Robert Murray McCheyne said, “If I could hear Jesus in the next room praying for me, I would not fear anything in the world. The distance makes no difference. Jesus is praying for me.” Someday, when we stand face to face with our Savior, we may wonder, “But Lord, how was I supposed to know that you would get me through the storms of life.” We should not be surprised if he answers, “Because I told you so, in my word.” Do not be afraid. Take courage today!
