Reading: Acts 27
In today’s reading, after the long wait in prison, Paul is being taken to Rome. Yet this trip to Rome doesn’t go as smoothly as one would hope or think. What I find interesting is that God had planned for Paul to go to Rome, knowing what would happen along the way. Many people often think because God wants us to do something the road will be paved and clear, yet that is not always the case.
Instead, God warns Paul to share with the men on the ship, “Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.” (Acts 27:10) There will be times when we try to warn others of dangers ahead and they will not listen. We must remember we all have choices to make. On this journey Paul goes on, we see what happens when people listen and what happens when they do not.
We have a Choice
“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live”
Deuteronomy 30:19 NKJV
The centurion did not heed Paul’s warning and instead he took the advice of the helmsman of the ship. How often does God tell us something but instead of listening to God’s word we ask a friend or another person for advice, just to have the advice go contrary to what we have perceived was from God. God many times will give us a word, that does not appear to line up with things we see in the natural or in the flesh. God allows us to decide for ourselves what we will do, but that does not stop him from warning us and giving us a word to direct us.
Moving on with their plans they head out to sea, only to encounter a tempest of a storm. It causes them to lighten the ship and toss over their tackle. After many days of no food, Paul begins to tell them they should have listened to him back in Crete. How many of us wish we would have listened to God in a particular situation too?
God was still with Paul and had sent an angel to him ‘saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ (Acts 27:24) God would save them on account of Paul, but it would still come at a cost for not heeding His warning. They would have to run aground on an island. Often our not listening to God will cause more damage than good. Yet that is our choice. We have a free will and have to choose who we will follow God or often a well meaning friend.
People are Watching You
Due to the storm, none of these men had eaten and many would die of starvation soon if they continued without food. Thankfully God did not want any of them to perish, so Paul encouraged them to take something to eat. Paul himself took bread, broke it, and gave thanks to God. In the midst of our storms God wants us to give thanks to Him and eat of His goodness. God is our provider and He will sustain us when in need.
What I love most about this account is that because of Paul praying over the bread and eating, all of the men were encouraged and ate. When we go through storms there will be people watching us to see what we do and how we react. When we trust in God, and walk in faith, not by sight; others will be encouraged as well. They will see light in you during times of darkness and I have got to think these men saw something different in Paul that they could not explain in the natural.
Paul had found favor with the centurion and when the others wanted to kill all the prisoners, they were all spared because of Paul. How would you have liked to be one of those prisoners? Can you imagine the protection they felt being in close proximity to Paul? These are a few things I thought of as I read this. How many of those prisoners or sailors on the ship were saved because of Paul standing firm in his faith? In conclusion, they all escaped to land and not one was harmed. That is the God we serve. Even when we don’t listen to his warning, He will still come up with another plan to save us from complete ruin. We may loose out on some things because of our decision but our Father loves us and will try to get us back on His path when we finally listen to Him.