Our Euroclydon

“But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.”

(Acts 27:14)

*Please read the entire chapter

As we journey through life, each has his or her Euroclydon. The name is associated with a cyclonic tempestuous northeast wind that blows in the Mediterranean. Hence the old sailors’ yarn when a northeastern arises, “It’s going to be a Euroclydon.” That is, its a storm that is as bad as it can get, one where possibly all hope is taken away, as in our story.

Paul had been through many storms in his life and ministry, but there comes into each believer’s life what might be called the storm of all storms, one big one that each of us experiences only once, generally speaking. Job had his, Esther had hers, and yes our blessed Lord had His — a storm in which there is no light, where most everything has to be cast overboard, even some essentials.

What is one to do at such times? When all hope seems to have fled, when the tempest is tossing you up and down, when you have been stripped of almost everything, when no light has been seen for a long period of time? It is imperative at such a time for us, as Paul did before those hopeless mariners, to say, “BE OF GOOD CHEER: FOR I BELIEVE GOD, THAT IT SHALL BE EVEN AS IT WAS TOLD ME” (Read Rom. 8:28).

For some years I have worn an I.D. bracelet with an inscription on it of just three words. It has given me an opportunity to witness on various occasions. Recently a nurse at the VA noticed it and asked what it said. I showed it to her, tears welled up in her eyes and she choked up. After she contained herself she read it outloud, “I BELIEVE GOD.” Then added, “O, Mr. Sandlin, you’ll never know how much I needed that today!” I need it everyday, don’t you?