The Miracle Table: REDISCOVERING THE POWER OF COMMUNION

by Andrew Murray

One of the greatest examples is found in Acts 27. In this chapter, Paul is on a ship that goes through a powerful hurricane. The Bible tells us that they took a ‘violent battering.’ They go on to throw their cargo overboard. All is in darkness as they see neither sun or stars for many days. They reach the point of giving up all hope of being saved. (v20) I wonder if Paul’s situation can sometimes describe our lives? Do you ever feel like you are being tossed about by the circumstances of life? Do you ever feel like you are losing everything of value? Do you ever feel like you are going through a violent battering? Do you ever feel like you are in darkness and you can’t see the way out? Have you lost hope that things will ever change? We can learn from Paul’s wonderful example. Verse 35 tells us the choice Paul made, ‘He took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat.’ In the midst of this great trial, Paul chose to break bread and give thanks to God. The Aramaic says that ‘he glorified God.’ Paul chose not to focus on the storm but on His Saviour. He chose to trust His Lord and what He had promised rather than give in to fear. It is one thing to give thanks when the sun is shining, but in the midst of tribulation - to break bread and give thanks to God - this is a man who knows the power of communion, and the power of worship. Imagine if when we next go through a storm, instead of panic and fear, we respond by coming ...