Acts 27  - Crisis and Providence

Fishing with Sol and Ben

Crisis brings chaos and confusion, and foolish decisions. And it proves the mettle of those who trust God.

Holy Spirit, thank you for your Word. Thank you for Luke and his courage to travel with Paul. And for Luke’s accuracy in documenting these harrowing events.

What a bleak mission - yet one ordained by Jesus. And one where despite the best efforts of Satan, God continued to step in to ensure His mission was accomplished. Providence.  

We know why Paul went to Rome. Because it was God’s calling. But what of his companions? Just getting to Rome was dangerous enough, as we are about to find out - especially by sailboat in the Fall. But Rome was also a dangerous place for Jews like Dr. Luke. (We know this because we read earlier that Acquilla and Pricilla were ordered out of Rome because they were Jews.)  And yet these men went anyway. They went as prisoners traveling under Roman military guard on multiple commercial vessels. Exciting stuff (an early example of public-private-partnerships). By our modern standards, it was a short trip. And yet oh, what a long journey it would be!

The weather was terrible. Dangerous. Paul knew the dangers ahead. Through both experience and the Holy Spirit, he saw the risks clearly. But those in authority would only learn to take heed of his wise counsel. We find that principle at work in our lives. We may be ignored time and again. But be patient. God will use us to speak the truth and to provide wise counsel in His timing.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure (O, how many times do we see that played out!), and in this case, the foolish decision to sail from Safe Havens (the name should have given them a hint) to Phoenix, meant almost certain doom.

Life’s like that. We face trials and storms - even Northeasters. I’ve encountered a few. I’m sure you have as well. We all will as we adventure for Jesus.

Be prepared. And make good decisions.

And listen to God. He used many of the tools at his disposal in this miraculous passage. God used an angel to tell Paul that Jesus would ensure he would stand trial before Caesar (Paul’s great privilege for obedience and faith) and that God’s goodness granted safety to all 276 souls on the doomed ship. God continues to use His mighty angels today. And He uses weather, “coincidental” travel situations, and shocking faith in seemingly insurmountable problems.

So take courage. Believe God, even amid a storm. Trust God. It will be just as God says it will be.

Notice that Paul, Luke, Aristarchus, and the others were in the storm for over two weeks. Christian men and women, listen. You must lead in these storms of life, so lead well. See how Paul heard from God and spoke clearly to the others. Speak truth. Do not be afraid. And see how he encouraged the others to eat, nourish their souls, and be confident in the Rescuer. And see how Paul gave thanks to God amid the storm (27:35). Always give thanks.

Lord Jesus, just as you saved 276 souls that morning in Malta - and just as your hand of Providence blessed and rescued Paul and the Christians - please encourage and rescue your people today. Open our eyes, O LORD our Protector, so that we may turn to you, repent of our sins and prove that we have changed by the good things we do.

Thank you, God. Thank you, Lord Jesus.  

Amen.

Victoria, BC