Friday 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:
- Paul's final anchor was TRUST. In verse 25, he said the he believes God... not believes IN God. He BELIEVES Him. We have to develop such a trust in God that we can have peace no matter the storm we are going through. We have to have a trust that is in Him alone and not in our desired outcome. Sometimes in storms we get angry. We question God and we have doubts. But God can handle all that! You will go through storms in you life. All God asks is that you trust him. What storm are you currently facing? If it doesn't end the way you want it to, do you still trust that God is faithful?
- What is God trying to say to you this week? Are you trusting Him through the storm? Are you letting fear keep you stuck? What do you need to do?
Pray:
- That you would trust God no matter your circumstance.
- That God would speak clearly to you today.
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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