Wednesday Devo
Scripture:
Acts 27
16 We sailed along the sheltered side of a small island named Cauda, where with great difficulty we hoisted aboard the lifeboat being towed behind us. 17 Then the sailors bound ropes around the hull of the ship to strengthen it. They were afraid of being driven across to the sandbars of Syrtis off the African coast, so they lowered the sea anchor to slow the ship and were driven before the wind.
18 The next day, as gale-force winds continued to batter the ship, the crew began throwing the cargo overboard. 19 The following day they even took some of the ship’s gear and threw it overboard. 20 The terrible storm raged for many days, blotting out the sun and the stars, until at last all hope was gone.
21 No one had eaten for a long time. Finally, Paul called the crew together and said, “Men, you should have listened to me in the first place and not left Crete. You would have avoided all this damage and loss. 22 But take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. 23 For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, 24 and he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.’ 25 So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said. 26 But we will be shipwrecked on an island.”
16 We sailed along the sheltered side of a small island named Cauda, where with great difficulty we hoisted aboard the lifeboat being towed behind us. 17 Then the sailors bound ropes around the hull of the ship to strengthen it. They were afraid of being driven across to the sandbars of Syrtis off the African coast, so they lowered the sea anchor to slow the ship and were driven before the wind.
18 The next day, as gale-force winds continued to batter the ship, the crew began throwing the cargo overboard. 19 The following day they even took some of the ship’s gear and threw it overboard. 20 The terrible storm raged for many days, blotting out the sun and the stars, until at last all hope was gone.
21 No one had eaten for a long time. Finally, Paul called the crew together and said, “Men, you should have listened to me in the first place and not left Crete. You would have avoided all this damage and loss. 22 But take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. 23 For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, 24 and he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.’ 25 So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said. 26 But we will be shipwrecked on an island.”
Commentary:
27:16 Cauda is today known as Gozzo. The ship’s boat (a smaller vessel used to transport people from the ship to land) had probably filled with water and was hard to lift on deck.
27:17 Ancient ships were sometimes secured during storms with cables (supports) tied around the ends or across and under the center of the ship. What gear was lowered is not known—possibly the topsails or a drift anchor to slow the ship’s progress. The Syrtis was a sandy shoal off the North African coast with a reputation as the graveyard of ships.
27:18–19 The jettisoned cargo may have been grain, although they kept some of it (see v. 38). The jettisoned tackle may have been the beam that supported the mainsail.
27:20 Before the advent of the compass, sailors depended for their bearings on the sun and stars, which were not visible in the storm.
27:21 You should have listened to me was probably not a haughty, censorious statement but rather was intended to establish Paul’s credibility as he prepared to give the crew some divinely revealed instructions (vv. 22–26).
27:22 At Fair Havens Paul had warned of the danger of loss of life (v. 10), but that was simply his opinion as an experienced traveler who had already been shipwrecked three times, reflecting the potential level of risk (see 2 Cor. 11:25). Now, however, he says there will be no loss of life. The difference was a revelation from God through an angel (Acts 27:23–24).
27:24 must stand before Caesar. See note on 25:9–11. The ultimate reason for Paul’s deliverance was his testimony in Rome (cf. 19:21; 23:11). Therefore, whereas Jonah’s presence on the ship threatened to destroy everyone (Jonah 1:12), Paul’s presence assured everyone’s deliverance.
27:17 Ancient ships were sometimes secured during storms with cables (supports) tied around the ends or across and under the center of the ship. What gear was lowered is not known—possibly the topsails or a drift anchor to slow the ship’s progress. The Syrtis was a sandy shoal off the North African coast with a reputation as the graveyard of ships.
27:18–19 The jettisoned cargo may have been grain, although they kept some of it (see v. 38). The jettisoned tackle may have been the beam that supported the mainsail.
27:20 Before the advent of the compass, sailors depended for their bearings on the sun and stars, which were not visible in the storm.
27:21 You should have listened to me was probably not a haughty, censorious statement but rather was intended to establish Paul’s credibility as he prepared to give the crew some divinely revealed instructions (vv. 22–26).
27:22 At Fair Havens Paul had warned of the danger of loss of life (v. 10), but that was simply his opinion as an experienced traveler who had already been shipwrecked three times, reflecting the potential level of risk (see 2 Cor. 11:25). Now, however, he says there will be no loss of life. The difference was a revelation from God through an angel (Acts 27:23–24).
27:24 must stand before Caesar. See note on 25:9–11. The ultimate reason for Paul’s deliverance was his testimony in Rome (cf. 19:21; 23:11). Therefore, whereas Jonah’s presence on the ship threatened to destroy everyone (Jonah 1:12), Paul’s presence assured everyone’s deliverance.
Questions:
- It seems that Paul was one of the only ones on that ship that had it together and wasn't freaking out. Was he afraid? Sure, but something kept him reassured and full of trust in God. Paul had three anchors in his storm. The first was the anchor of OWNERSHIP. In verse 23, as he told his shipmates of his vision, he mentioned that he belonged to God. Paul remembered that he he served God, and God never forgets those who belong to Him and serve Him. In those moments of fear, God was more real to Paul than the storm was. Are you a Christian? Then you have an anchor. He sees you. He knows you. He's with you. If you reminded yourself of these truths, would that affect how you are able to weather the storm?
- Sometimes we need to be reminded that FAITH isn't the absence of FEAR... it's trusting in a faithful God in SPITE of the fear. If we stay stuck until the fear subsides, what need do we have for faith? Is there a situation in your life right now where fear is keeping you from moving forward in your relationship with God?
Pray:
- That you would remember God is with you in the storm.
- That you would have faith even in the midst of fear.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
6. Is the Bible God’s Word? Jesus proved He is God by rising from the dead and said the Old Testament was God’s Word and gave authority to the Apostles to write the words of the New Testament, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, so that all the words of the Bible are God’s Word.
(Matthew 5:18; Luke 24:27, 44; John 14:25-26, 15:27, 16:12-13, 17:20; Acts 2:42; Ephesians 3:5; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21)
(Matthew 5:18; Luke 24:27, 44; John 14:25-26, 15:27, 16:12-13, 17:20; Acts 2:42; Ephesians 3:5; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21)
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