Acts 27:23

Tempest and long darkness, coupled with the imminent risk of shipwreck, had brought the crew of the vessel into a dire situation; one man alone among them remained perfectly calm, and by his word, the rest were reassured. Paul was the only man who had courage enough to say, “Sirs, be of good cheer.” There were veteran Roman legionaries on board and brave old mariners, yet their poor Jewish prisoner had more spirit than them all. He had a secret Friend who kept his courage up. The Lord Jesus dispatched a heavenly messenger to whisper words of consolation in the ear of His faithful servant; therefore, he wore a shining expression and spoke like a man at ease.

If we fear the Lord, we may look for timely interventions when our case is at its worst. Angels are not kept from us by storms or hindered by darkness. Seraphs think it no humiliation to visit the poorest of the heavenly family. If angels' visits are few and far between at ordinary times, they shall be frequent in our nights of tempest and tossing.

Friends may drop away from us when we are under pressure, but our communion with the inhabitants of the angelic world shall be more abundant; and in the strength of love-words, brought to us from the throne by way of Jacob’s ladder, we shall be strong to do great things. Dear reader, is this an hour of distress for you? Then ask for special help. Jesus is the Angel of the Covenant, and if His presence is now earnestly sought, it will not be denied. What encouragement that presence brings, those remember who, like Paul, have had the angel of God standing by them in a night of storm, when anchors would no longer hold, and rocks were near.

“O angel of my God, be near,
Amid the darkness hush my fear;
Loud roars the wild tempestuous sea,
Your presence, Lord, shall comfort me.”