I know it's probably going to be difficult for you to sail the rough
seas again today, but we have no choice! Yesterday when we parted company,
our ship was sailing out of control and today we are still at the mercy
of the boisterous winds and stormy sea. As a matter of fact, three days
will go by before this tempest finally blows over. What will you do now
that the circumstances are beyond your control? How well do you function
in a crisis, dear lady? How do you think everyone else on board the ship
is feeling about now? Let's find out as we continue on in our look at
verses 16-20 of Acts 27…
And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much
work to come by the boat: Which when they had taken up, they used helps,
undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands,
strake sail, and so were driven. And we being exceedingly tossed with
a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship; And the third day we
cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship. And when neither
sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all
hope that we should be saved was then taken away.
I’ve shared with you ladies before how much I enjoy reading the book of
Luke in the Bible because of his accurate facts and the skilled, picturesque
way in which he presents life’s details. In his writings during this particular
storm, Luke speaks proudly of his hero Paul and how he handled this present
crisis with great faith and leadership. Here in Acts chapter 27, Luke
devotes an extensive section to describing moment by moment this treacherous
voyage that he himself had accompanied the apostle Paul on as a prisoner.
He includes in his writings both the actions and the emotions of those
on board during this seemingly hopeless and helpless situation. We find
through Luke's script that the apostle Paul began this voyage as just
a prisoner, yet ended up acting as the captain! You see ladies, a crisis
in itself does not make a person; a crisis shows what a person is made
of, and it tends to bring true control to the foreground. That is what
Paul exhibited, but how about you and I?
Psalm 56:3 (KJV)
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
The Bible says in our opening scripture today that the sailors and passengers
saw neither sun nor stars for many days. How do you find yourself feeling
when the skies are cloudy for a long period of time? I don't know about
you, but I become melancholy when the sun isn't shining! Melancholy sometimes
is the mood of the people of God as to their spiritual condition. Christians
walk in darkness, and have no light when they insist on living as they
wish; disregarding how God's Word says His people should live. We find
in this stormy account what the treasures of this world really are, for
the circumstances that were originally considered a blessing, over just
a short time period of time have actually become a burden... Not only
were they too heavy to be carried safely, riches were heavy enough to
sink those who held to them, becoming a spiritual quicksand!
Luke 12:15 (KJV)
And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's
life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
Luke has vividly presented to us how violently the tempest tossed the
ship and how deeply fear filled the hearts of many on board. Toil and
hardship lunged its assault upon not only the crew, but also the passengers
that were traveling on board. Quickly and frantically all began to work
together against the storm to try to survive. We see in this report what
trouble people must go through to battle a storm on their own. Much waste
resulted as the very wheat being transported for profit had to be thrown
overboard to lighten the storm tossed ship. The third day, even the furnishings
of the ship had to be discarded as well. Who wouldn’t rather toss aside
his goods rather than his life! But sadly, many choose to make wreckage
of their faith and ethics than of their possessions! Because of this great
storm, the sun and stars could no longer be seen, and it was impossible
to determine one’s position on the waters. Yes, melancholy had certainly
set in and all hope was lost... How in the world did such drastic conditions
develop in such a short time?! The answer is simple - because one man
would not listen to God's messenger!
Acts 27:21 (KJV)
But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said,
Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete,
and to have gained this harm and loss.
Here we gather that the course the sailors chose did not accomplish anything
in battling the storm. However, when sinners give up all hope of saving
themselves, then are they ready to understand God’s Word and to trust
in His mercy through Jesus Christ! These self-willed voyagers did not
hearken to the apostle when he warned them of forthcoming danger. Most
people get themselves into trouble this way; they come to destruction
by striving to improve their status - often against godly advice! Ladies,
did you notice WHEN the apostle Paul finally spoke up after his guidance
had first been shunned? After long abstinence, the Bible says; after letting
the sailors see for themselves that what he had told them was truth. Can
you hold back an “I told you so!” with as much restraint? Because Paul
was not offended at their rejection of him or his godly counsel, he was
able to leave matters in the Lord's hands and trust that God would work
the matter out in men's hearts. He had done his part, he had given the
right advice, and the choice remained theirs.
Acts 27:22 (KJV)
And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of
any man's life among you, but of the ship.
Though Paul firmly reprimanded these sailors for not heeding God's counsel,
when the appropriate time came, he brought reassurance to them as well.
All they had to do was simply acknowledge their recklessness and repent
of it to get on course again. God's man will speak comfort and relief
to the remorseful when in danger; he will not abandon them. Paul was able
to do this because of his faith in God. You see, he believed God even
if bordered by those that did not! There was balance to his faith... As
a result, Paul ever remained an encourager on this voyage and men soon
forgot he was a prisoner. The crew responded to his leadership as if he
were the captain because of his gripping testimony for God! What a difference
it makes when one’s faith is anchored in the Lord…
Is that someone you, dear lady?? Are you able to make a dramatic difference
in storm tossed lives that are headed toward shipwreck? Are you able to
offer hope and share a promise from God's Word to those whose lives are
in despair? Are you able to wisely discern when to speak and when not
to, so as not to interfere with what God is doing in a man’s heart? Are
you balanced enough to offer encouragement at the appropriate time, even
when others have forsaken your warnings? If you had been on board with
the apostle Paul, what kind of Christian witness would you have had to
offer during the storm? Let's observe the solemn outlook Paul held and
shared with his fellow crewmembers…
Acts 27: 23-25 (KJV)
For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom
I serve, Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and,
lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.
While the storm was wreaking havoc both inside and outside those on board,
how do you think the apostle Paul was personally reacting to the chaos
surrounding him? Had God abandoned His man during this time? Not so! The
Bible says there stood by Paul and angel of God to reassure him! No tempest,
no matter how threatening, can hinder God’s support to His people, for
He is a Helper always close at hand on their behalf. As long as the Lord
has any work for His faithful servants to do, their lives shall be protected.
If Paul had plunged himself carelessly into rebellious companionship,
he might have become a castaway with the bunch of them; but God calling
him into the setting had preserved him! That is why he never lost his
confidence in the Lord...
Hebrews 10:35 (KJV)
Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of
reward.
2 Tim. 1:12 (KJV)
For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not
ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is
able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
Yes, the apostle Paul trusted in God's sovereign control of his life and
was not the least bit anxious. As a matter of fact, God told Paul He had
given him all those that sailed with him. In other words, Paul would have
an impact on each one of their lives! Because of his faithfulness, God
granted him powerful influence over those for whom he willingly took sober
responsibility. It is a great satisfaction to a good man or woman than
to know they are a blessing to people. Paul comforted these storm-wearied
sailors with the same comfort wherewith he himself was comforted of God!
He shared with them the very promises of God that he held tightly and
helped others face their difficulties with valor and vigor. Ladies, God
is always faithful; therefore all who trust in His promises ought to be
content, courageous, and caring. Hope is an anchor of the soul, sure and
steadfast for those who would live a life of wholehearted obedience to
the Lord God. May those who are in spiritual darkness see and learn from
your example of godly obedience, and think not of setting sail again apart
from abiding in Christ!
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2004
