Acts 27:13-26

https://www.biblestudytools.com/acts/passage/?q=acts+27:13-26

The Storm

13 When a gentle south wind began to blow, they saw their opportunity; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete. 14 Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the Northeaster, swept down from the island. 15 The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along. 16 As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure, 17 so the men hoisted it aboard. Then they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Because they were afraid they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and let the ship be driven along. 18 We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. 19 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 the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved. 21 After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. 22 But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. 23 Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me 24 and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ 25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. 26 Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.”

Study Notes: These will be added as I am able.

27:17 The measures they took to survive included passing ropes under the ship to hold it together. Syrtis was on the northern coast of Africa.

27:21 Why would Paul talk to the crew this way? Paul was not taunting them with an "I told you so," but was reminding them that, with God's guidance, he had predicted this very problem (27:10). In the future, they listened to him (27:30-32) and their lives were spared because of it.

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"It didn't have to be this way." This statement crosses my mind as I read this morning. The impatient, self-serving guys that own and pilot the ship seem to be a lot like us. But God works as it is. God is in control when the storm came. The ship's occupants tossed the cargo, they tossed the tackle, they had no food. They lost their control. They lost their hope--all but Paul. In Jerusalem, Christ said to Paul that he must testify in Rome about Christ as he did in Jerusalem (Acts 23:11). So, surely it would be--eventually. And assurance came to Paul that lives would be saved but that the ship would be destroyed. This shows us what is important--faithful dependence on the Almighty Creator and the One that truly provides for life. All the "stuff" is temporary and may be lost in the storm, but life in Christ is eternal.

Some times people must experience the truth of their own choices to believe in The Truth of God.

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Thank You, Lord, for Your presence with us in the storm. Thank You for life eternal and for Your trustworthiness. Help us to experience and trust Your guidance and promises. Strengthen our understanding of You and our faith in Your work. Lord, even if we lose our "stuff", we know that You have given us life and many gifts and talents to restore us in Your grace. Help us remember Your power of creation. Lord, when the interruptions come, don't let us be distracted or lose faith in You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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A Song: https://youtu.be/Qlow_JkOpiw

Have a blessed day.