Shipwrecked... Again!

Acts 27

“Sometimes, being in a storm does not mean you’re out of God’s will. It may be exactly where He wants you to be so that He can accomplish His purposes in you and through you.” Dr. Tony Evans

Although Paul started the voyage as a prisoner and passenger, he ended it as the captain of the ship. The ship was lost; but by the grace of God, Paul’s presence saved all the passengers, for God had a purpose and a plan to reach Rome and appeal to Caesar. Sorry to spoil the movie... keep watching; I mean reading.

Can the Lord depend on you to sail by faith when you face the storms? Can others depend on you?

“We sailed slowly for a number of days and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, and as the wind did not allow us to go farther, we sailed under the lee of Crete off Salmone. 8 Coasting along it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea. 9 Since much time had passed, and the voyage was now dangerous because even the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, 10 saying, “Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” 11 But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said. 12 And because the harbor was not suitable to spend the winter in, the majority decided to put out to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing both southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there. 13 Now when the south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to the shore.” Acts 27:7–13 (ESV)

What did a Jewish tentmaker know about sailing a ship? Not much apparently, so, the advice of the experts and the vote of the majority carried the day... so, sailed on. Ignoring Paul’s warning about the dangers of continuing the voyage at that time of year, they prepared to sail to Crete. Though not recorded in Scripture, Paul had apparently been in three previous shipwrecks, so he knew a bit. But what Paul really did know is that when we are impatient, uncomfortable, and when the golden opportunity seems to come along, beware! A storm may be brewing! And it was throughout Acts 27.

“But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land. 15 And when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along. 16 Running under the lee of a small island called Cauda, we managed with difficulty to secure the ship’s boat. 17 After hoisting it up, they used supports to undergird the ship. Then, fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the gear, and thus they were driven along. 18 Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo. 19 And on the third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 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 27:14–20 (ESV)
Paul was right to say, “I told you so!” But he followed it with a word of promise from the Lord and a word of encouragement from his believing heart. At a time like that, people needed promises, not preaching.

Paul publicly gave thanks and directed their hearts to God, which encouraged everybody. The weary passengers needed strength for what lay ahead, and that meant taking time to eat. Paul was practical as well as perceptive.

God had a mission for Paul, and he wouldn’t die before that mission was accomplished.

“As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. 34 Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.” 35 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. 36 Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves. 37 (We were in all 276 persons in the ship.) 38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.” Acts 27:33–38 (ESV)

When times are hard and you don’t know what God is up to, do you continue to thank Him for His provision in your life?

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:4–7 (ESV)

When times are hard; not only can you remind yourself of the goodness of God, but you may also be a witness to those around you that God is worthy of our trust in difficult times.
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Harold Wilmington writes, “‘Don’t worry, we’ll all survive!’ After several days of storm, Paul told the crew God had reassured him that, because he wanted to get him safely to Rome, everyone on the ship would survive the storm, even though they would run aground on an island. And that is exactly what happened. Meanwhile, Paul’s faith encouraged the others as they prepared for shipwreck.

We too can have courage in life’s storms because God is faithful to keep his promises. Do you believe that today? Are you walking through a storm? Does your life seem like one shipwreck after another?

Know today that God has a purpose and a plan for you; not necessarily your plan and not just a plan to protect you, but to fulfill His purpose and plan for your life. He desires to use you to reach others through your trials.

Are you focused on your struggle or pain, or the salvation of those around you? Your pain becomes faint and your struggle less difficult when you are focused on others; when you burdened by the hopelessness around you and the potential hope you can provide in the name and power of Jesus Christ?

Today, who needs your wisdom, stability, and encouragement; who needs the salvation and hope of Christ?

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