Euroclydon, the Tempestuous Wind in Our Life
(Acts 27:20-25)

When we live, we face unexpected difficulties. Apostle Paul met ‘Euroclydon’, the tempestuous wind on the way to Rome and was put into despair. By only depending on God, he could save many people in the forceful wind. When we meet the wind of suffering like Euroclydon, we should depend on God to overcome our adversity.

1. God’s will and human thought
When Apostle Paul went to Rome as a prisoner, the ship where he was board dropped by a place called Fair Havens for a couple of days. At that moment, God had Paul known that the upcoming difficulties when they kept sailing. So Paul advised the centurion to stay at the place during winter but he didn’t listen to the will of God Paul had told. Instead, he was depending on the pilot and the owner of the ship who had much knowledge of ships and experiences at the sea. As a result, they were confronted with Euroclydon, the tempestuous wind. Likewise, when we rely more on human knowledge and experiences, we face the wind of difficulties in our life. Therefore, we should always meditate God’s word and look for thoroughly where God’s will is directed to our life, not following our thoughts.

2. Euroclydon, the tempestuous wind that comes to us
Paul’s group that met Euroclydon, the tempestuous wind was lost in the dark sea where neither sun nor stars appeared for many days. Similarly, the wind of unpredicted hardships can blow in the sea of our life. Even the people of God could see no light of hope in the darkness caused by adversity. However, do not be frustrated even if Euroclydon, the tempestuous wind is blowing to your life. In the amid of extreme sufferings, Jesus is with us as our absolute hope.

3. God who changes the absolute despair into the absolute hope
Paul delivered the message that he had heard from God in the middle of the absolute despair and gave hope and courage to all people. According to Acts Chapter 27 verses 23-25, he said, “Last night an angel of the God whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.” The reason Apostle Paul could deliver the message of the absolute hope in hardships of the absolute despair was because he fixed his eyes not on Euroclydon, the tempestuous wind but on God who controls the wind. Therefore, we should fix our eyes on good God who turns the absolute despair into the absolute hope. Our God is God of turn around who accomplishes amazing things through people of faith.