December 5 - Acts 27:1-44

Good morning everyone,

Yo Ho! Today we we set sail with Paul on his amazing journey which was taking him, as a prisoner, to Rome. Paul had requested as a Roman citizen, when realizing he would not get a fair trial in Jerusalem, to plead his case before Cesar. His request was granted and so Paul was being escorted by the Imperial Regiment with Julius assigned as centurion in his charge.

Having set sail in October, they chose a route that would keep them hugging the coast as this was a bad time of the year to be traveling on the open seas.  Ships in antiquity had no compasses so they navigated by the stars, so it goes without saying that when the skies were overcast, sailing would be impossible and indeed very dangerous. At one point Paul warned the captain that he should not go on, saying, “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.” But the pilot and the owner of the ship assured the centurion all would be well and so he decided to keep sailing.

The trip, described by Luke, was full of danger. The waves so strong they had to drop sail and just go where the wind blew them. The waves being so large and strong they threatened to bust of the ship apart. More than once they feared for their lives prompting them to throw tackle and precious cargo overboard and look for safe harbors. But even with all their planning and precautions the storms would prove to be too much for them and the two thousand mile trip would end with the boat being shipwrecked on the island of Malta.

It is not a big stretch to know I am going to draw the parallel of Paul’s stormy voyage to the storms in our lives. Friends, we all will go through them, some quite insignificant then some with a category 5 hurricane force. But it is how we act, how we conduct ourselves in the midst of these storms that makes us who we are. Onboard Paul’s ship there were some who were prepared to run away, try to use their own strength to save themselves. When Paul found this out he said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.” You see, Paul had heard from God, he knew they would make it to Rome, they just needed to trust in God and His strength to get them there.

No storm, whether big or small, is enjoyable. They beat us up, batter us around, often causing others, as well as ourselves, much pain and regret. Yet, I have found, even in my regrets, God grows me and comforts me with His faithfulness. He is faithful even when I am unfaithful. Psalm 46 encourages us with, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” When you are in the midst of a storm, don’t jump ship. Instead run to and put your faith in Christ Jesus. He waits with open arms. Amen?

Have a good day and to God be the glory.

God bless you all …..