The storm had raged for days. Darkness pressed in from every side. The ship was about to break apart on the rocks. Everyone on board had given up hope—everyone except one man.

Paul alone stayed perfectly calm. And when he spoke, his words steadied the rest. "Be of good cheer!" Only Paul had the heart to say it. Think about that! There were veteran Roman legionaries on that ship. Brave old sailors who had weathered every storm. And yet this poor Jewish prisoner had more spirit than them all.

Why? He had a secret Friend who kept his courage up. The Lord Jesus had dispatched a heavenly messenger to whisper words of consolation in the ear of his faithful servant. That's why Paul wore a shining face. That's why he spoke like a man at ease.

Listen to me. If you fear the Lord, you can look for timely interventions when your case is at its worst. Angels are not kept from us by storms or hindered by darkness. The highest seraphs think it no humiliation to visit the poorest of heaven's family. If angel visits are few and far between at ordinary times, they shall be frequent in our nights of tempest and tossing.

Friends may drop from us when we're under pressure, but our fellowship with the inhabitants of the angelic world shall grow 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 exploits.

Dear reader, is this an hour of distress with you? Then ask for peculiar help. Jesus is the angel of the covenant, and if his presence is earnestly sought now, it will not be denied. Those who have felt it know what that presence brings in heart-cheer—those 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, Thy presence, Lord, shall comfort me."