SHIPWRECKED!

June 12

Bible Reading: Acts 27

Acts 27:25, “So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.”

Acts Chapter 27 records the events surrounding the shipwreck of the vessel carrying the Apostle Paul to Rome.  Paul was not the captain and not even a member of the crew, but it would be fair to say that things might have turned out much differently were he not on board.  How was it that Paul, a mere prisoner on board ship, came to exercise such influence?  Interwoven through the account are some telltale clues.

The Apostle Paul endeared himself to others.  Paul had been delivered, along with some other prisoners, to a centurion named Julius.  Paul gained the respect of the centurion (Acts 27:3).  One would suspect that Paul had proven himself trustworthy, and judging from what we otherwise know of Paul, he no doubt showed kindness to Julius.

The Apostle Paul took the initiative.   Paul had captained no ships and had no experience as a navigator, but he was knowledgeable—because he was a man full of the Spirit—of what lay ahead.  He possessed, in the Helper’s indwelling presence, something that the others lacked.  When the decision was made to leave Fair Havens, Paul counseled against it (Acts 27:9-10).  That he was allowed to speak his opinion on the matter speaks to the influence that he had already obtained.  “But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and the owner of the ship than to what Paul said” (Acts 27:11).  The ship sailed on to its ill-fated destination.

The Apostle Paul prayed for and encouraged his shipmates.  As Paul had predicted, the voyage met with difficulty.  “A tempestuous wind, called the northeaster” (Acts 27:14), began to blow, causing the ship to be driven along without recourse.  The crew jettisoned overboard the cargo and then the ship’s tackle.  “When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned” (Acts 27:20).  When all hope was lost, Paul encouraged the men with a message of hope (Acts 27:22, 25).  He instructed them that there would be no loss of life.  He spoke to them of how God had assured him of his safe arrival in Rome and how God “granted (to him) all those who” sailed with him (Acts 27:24).  He had prayed for them.  God had granted to Paul their safety.

Paul witnessed by his actions.  He gave specific instructions regarding what the men were to do once they approached land (Acts 27:30-32).  After fourteen suspenseful days without food, Paul urged the men to eat (Acts 27:34a).  He reminded them again of God’s watch care over them (Acts 27:34b).  “And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat.  Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves” (Acts 27:35-36).

Paul was not the captain and not even the first mate, but Paul—a mere prisoner on board—was used by God incredibly to assist and encourage his shipmates.  He did things that we all, as believers, can do as we interact with others lacking hope in this storm-tossed world.  He befriended others and proved himself trustworthy.  He walked by the Spirit.  He prayed for and encouraged his companions.  He led by example as he trusted in God in the midst of his own difficulties.  Every member on board that vessel benefitted from Paul’s presence amongst them.  They lost their ship and their cargo, but they were brought safely to land (Acts 27:44b) and learned something about the God Paul worshipped and served. 

The book “We Thought We Heard the Angels Sing” tells the true story of a group of WW2 pilots lost and adrift at in Pacific Ocean in two rubber rafts.  Desperate for food and water, a believer on board led his companions in prayer, trusting for God to provide (which He miraculously did).  Reading daily from his pocket New Testament, that man’s presence on board made all the difference!  You may not be on a sinking ship, but there are sinking souls all around.  As with Paul and that man, God can use you to direct them to look to Him for salvation and hope!

As you sail towards heaven’s shore, and sometimes through some stormy seas, be mindful of those journeying alongside.  In knowing Jesus, you’ve a God you can trust and a message to share with others about a God who can save!

I was sinking deep in sin
Far from a peaceful shore
Very deeply stained within
Sinking to rise no more;
But the Master of the sea
Heard my despairing cry
From the waters lifted me
Now safe am I