Acts 27 & 28
Have you ever had days, weeks, or even months of trial after trial after trial, and you find yourself feeling and saying, “if it’s not one thing, it's another”; or had times when you feel like the storm, and the situation you’re facing will literally kill you? Whether it’s fear, anxiety, depression, or just a storm that doesn’t seem to end, there’s hope. Chapter 27 and 28 of Acts tells us about Paul’s sail to Rome. He was prisoned for preaching the Gospel and would have his trial in Rome. It was winter which was a bad season to sail, but Julius and the soldiers still decided to sail the prisoners to Rome. As they sailed, a storm hit, and it hit hard. They could not even see the stars or sun; therefore, they had no navigation. They did not know where they were going, which caused them to lose all hope of being saved. But an angel of God appeared to Paul with words of encouragement, hope, and life. What I find interesting is that Paul was able to hear the words of God through an angel in the midst of the storm. No matter the chaos surrounding him, he heard what God was telling him. After sailing during a storm for fourteen days and realizing the sea went from being 20 feet deep to 90 feet deep. The sailors were scared and thought they would crash into the rocks. So they tried to save themselves by attempting to escape on the lifeboats, but Paul warned them if they did not stay on the boat, they would die. Paul urged them to eat something since they had not eaten anything due to the suspense and fear of what was to come. Paul encouraged them again, took some bread, gave thanks, and they all ate. In the morning, the ship got stuck in the sand, and waves started to break the back of the boat. They jump off and start swimming and floating to shore. When they finally arrived at an Island called Malta, the islanders welcomed them and started a fire. Paul graves a piece of wood to throw in the fire when a viper bites him. The islanders assumed he was a murderer and getting justice. But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and did not suffer any illness. The people expected him to die, but after waiting a long time, nothing happened.
I know this is a lot, but many times that’s how life is a lot. I don’t know where you are in life; you may be like Paul, who gets arrested, waits to face trial, during the waiting is in the middle of the storm for over 14 days, then gets bitten by a snake. Or maybe you’re in the midst of a strong storm making the path, direction, and destination hard to see. Or you’re probably like the sailors, who were filled with fear, anxiety, and depression because of the storm they were in. But, no matter the depth, no matter the strength, the storm you are facing is not meant to kill you. Even if those around you are assuming the worst of you because of what you’re going through or are expecting the bite of life to wipe you out, they are going to be waiting a long time. Because no matter who you are in this passage or what you are facing, you will survive. So, just as Paul urged them to keep up their courage when they had lost all hope, I urge you to keep the courage because “not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. ‘Don’t be afraid, … God in his goodness to you has spared the lives of all those who are sailing with you” (v22-24).
Prayer
Thank you, Jesus, for always speaking and encouraging us. You know and see what I am facing and going through. Only you know how long I’ve been in this storm and what has caused me to feel and think. I repent for the times I tried to take things into my own hands to escape the storm rather than to trust you through it. Enable me to hear your voice in the midst of chaos, and help me thank you in the middle of the storm. Encourage me when I feel hopeless. I ask this in your name for your honor and glory, amen.
Worship song