Acts 27:27-44
https://www.biblestudytools.com/acts/passage/?q=acts+27:27-44
The Shipwreck
27 On the fourteenth night we were still being driven across the Adriatic Sea, when about midnight the sailors sensed they were approaching land. 28 They took soundings and found that the water was a hundred and twenty feet deep. A short time later they took soundings again and found it was ninety feet deep. 29 Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight. 30 In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow. 31 Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it drift away. 33 Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. “For the last fourteen days,” he said, “you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food—you haven’t eaten anything. 34 Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” 35 After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. 36 They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. 37 Altogether there were 276 of us on board. 38 When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea. 39 When daylight came, they did not recognize the land, but they saw a bay with a sandy beach, where they decided to run the ship aground if they could. 40 Cutting loose the anchors, they left them in the sea and at the same time untied the ropes that held the rudders. Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and made for the beach. 41 But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the surf. 42 The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. 43 But the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. 44 The rest were to get there on planks or on other pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land safely.
Study Notes: These will be added as I am able.
27:27 The Adriatic Sea referred to the central part of the Mediterranean Sea between Italy, Crete, and the northern coast of Africa.
27:28 Soundings were made by throwing a weighted, marked line into the water. When the lead hit the bottom, sailors could tell the depth of the water from the marks on the rope.
27:42, 43 The soldiers would pay with their own lives if any of their prisoners escaped. Their instinctive reaction was to kill the prisoners so they wouldn't get away. Julius, the centurion, was impressed with Paul and wanted to save his life. Julius was the highest ranking official and therefore he could make this decision. This act preserved Paul for his later ministry in Rome and fulfilled Paul's prediction that all the people on the ship would be saved (27:22).
Don't you just love the way God works in adversity? His mercy and miracles shine brightest. Things I noticed in this passage: (1) After 14 days they ran aground (verse 27, "2 more weeks?)", (2) they prayed for daylight (verse 29, "dark to light?"), (3) they stuck together and let loose their lifeboat (verse 32. "WWG1WGA?"), and (4) they broke bread together (verses 33-37. reminded me of the Last Supper). God's work through Paul's faith and leadership, along with God's work in the Roman commanders of the ship, caused the miracle of life for all of them to be preserved, just as God had promised. I love the ways God works. He is still working today.
Thank You, Lord, for the daily reminders to watch for Your work and trust in You. You are the best life preserver anyone could have. Almighty Creator of all, travel with us as we go throughout this day. Help us to call upon You when we are in adversity and when we are not. Bless our leaders, Lord, with gifts of courage and foresight from You to help them lead with conviction. You are faithful. Help us to be faithful too. In Jesus' name, Amen.
A Song: https://youtu.be/w13t9uU9RaM
Have a blessed day.
The Lord is the best everything. He is...
Accepting Him, trusting Him and obeying Him is the best we can do in this life here on earth.
I think we can agree that President Trump is the second best in all five categories. We can also add entertainer to the list though with Jesus, you actually learned life lessons with his parables.
Suspense? I would say...
“Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.”
How wonderful to know how all encompassing Jesus is...and that when we are in the safety of his loving care...we shall be saved from whatever pending doom awaits us. He is everything we could ever need or want...and his provision is always perfect...could we ever ask for more from our Abba Father, who showed His perfect love for us through his Son Jesus Christ...I am grateful beyond measure...especially because God so often saves us from ourselves...
Amen to that!
This actually parallels with the state of the United States today. Joe Biden is responsible for the shipwreck that is the current state of the country. Plus suicide is a way to escape.