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Acts 27     English Standard Version (ESV)

The Storm at Sea

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. ¹⁴ 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.

²¹ Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. ²² Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. ²³ For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, ²⁴ and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ ²⁵ So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. ²⁶ But we must run aground on some island.”

REFLECTION:

• In spite of the terrible conditions, Paul, on the journey to Rome, spoke hopefully that an angel of God had appeared to him in the night and assured him that he would arrive in Rome and stand trial before Caesar; and all who were with him would get there, too. He said, “Do not be afraid … take heart” (the Message vv24-25).  God would strip them of what had obscured their awareness of Him – the ship, the job, and the mad rush to Rome.  But their lives would be preserved.
• God is also out to get us. Everything we consider a loss can be a chance to discover God at the center, to realize the preciousness of life itself, of love unencumbered by lust and pride and greed.  God’s voice keeps coming in the midst of terror, disaster and hopelessness: “Do not be afraid … take heart.”
• Tell God your fear and helplessness. Find God in the midst of your problem and His presence.  Listen to Him telling you: “Do not be afraid … take heart.”

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I admire the red flowers in full bloom during the hot summer days, fearlessly facing the scorching sun; I marvel at the green bamboo standing tall in winter, unaffected by snow and ice; yet, I admire even more the little seagulls in the midst of a storm, the fledgling swallows braving the raging winds, sleeping peacefully in their nests, relying solely on the shelter of the rock and the protection of their parents’ wings. Heavenly Father, if Your grace is sweet honey, I wish to become a diligent bee, filling my basket with it; if Your love is a cool night breeze, I wish to become a tree seed, willing to be blown wherever You desire, falling by the wayside of the lost, by the windows of the weary, growing into shade for years, so that the miracle of life may be proclaimed. I look up at the countless stars in the sky, and down at the rivers flowing into the sea, knowing that the world is built upon Your rock, and Your children are all under Your protection. Heavenly Father, I pray that You would sharpen my resolve like a whetstone sharpens jade, refine my courage and determination like gold in the fire, so that I may be brave in the face of fear, experience peace in times of worry, find contentment in times of lack, discover joy in times of suffering, endure in times of impatience, and hold on to hope in hopeless situations. This patience and hope I hold onto are the result of Your abundant grace and mercy upon my unworthy and imperfect life. Amen!

HYMN:

Ancient of Days – youtu.be/cJUtAw21qAM