Acts 27 - 8.24.26
SCRIPTURE: Acts 27:21-26
“After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.” “
OBSERVATION
The Apostle Paul was on a ship headed to Rome to appeal to Ceasar and was arrested by the religious leaders for spreading the Gospel message of Jesus. Paul was among other prisoners and soldiers on the voyage, and they set sail from Crete after leaving Judea at a wrong time in face of a storm that would destroy the ship. The other passengers were panicking, but Paul knew that God would ensure his safe passage to fulfill His Word. Paul not only gave the crew members, soldiers and prisoners encouragement, but he testified of the faithfulness of God even through the storm.
APPLICATION
Paul was truly walking by faith. I believe that the Lord put the Church in Rome on Paul’s heart. He wrote the Epistle to them saying that he wanted to visit them, and God was making Paul’s desire come to pass. Acts 23:11 states: “The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” “
Jesus appeared to Paul and gave him instructions on what needed to be accomplished. This opportunity would give Paul closer proximity to the Church of Rome. If we know God’s will in our lives, we should not fear that any obstacle will hinder or stop God’s plan. If we receive a word from the Lord, that should be the driving factor that it will be completed. Another example is David who was anointed as king by Samuel before he fought Goliath. David did not have to fear for his life as he fought the giant because God already declared His will in David’s life to be king and a forefather of Jesus. If God has a calling in our life, we can expect that Satan, the world and our flesh will get in the way but will not overcome God’s purpose!
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, your word in Isaiah 55:10-11 says
“As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire.”
I thank You for the surety of Your word and promises in our lives. I thank You for reassuring us over and over again in our walk with You. Every promise that You have given us is a guarantee that it will come to pass. I pray that we can cling onto Your promises and remember it when we face the difficult times in our lives. You gave Paul a word and strengthened his faith during the most dangerous of times, and I know that You will do the same for us!
- Darrence Hamilton
