Passage Read: Acts 26-27
Meditation Verses: 27:23-25
Thought
The Lord had promised to Paul that he would testify in Rome. That was enough for Paul to have great confidence through this whole ordeal. He wasn't trying to be cocky or flippant as they faced trial after challenge, he was just fully confident that he would make it to Rome. So when the Lord gave him this specific promise, he was completely sure it would turn out exactly as he'd been told. "I believe God." And that eventually gave confidence to all to listen to him and wait to see if he was right. They were gambling their lives on his word, over against the sailors' own wisdom to abandon ship while they thought they could.
Application
While I have no special promise of future ministry or mission (though I wish I had), I do have a promise of eternal life, and that should give me great confidence to serve the Lord with abandon. I don't need riches or power or influence. I just need to tell others about Jesus, testifying that He is the true Son of God and the coming King and Judge of all the earth, so all people everywhere need to repent and believe in Him, giving glory to His name and walking in His ways. People may think me insane, no one may believe me, but they all need to be warned. I want that confidence and boldness! It is mine for the taking.