THE LIVING CHURCH
Meditations in the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 27:13-26

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SAILING through this storm in such a frail ship must have been a very terrifying ordeal, both for Paul and the rest of those sailing with him. Paul suffered this ordeal, not because of his own fault, but because of the folly of the ship owner and the pilot.

In life we have to suffer ordeals and storms. We are not promised by God that when we believe in Jesus we will be delivered from the troubles of life here on this earth. Rather Jesus warns us that we are likely to suffer trials, over and above other human beings, simply because we are his disciples. What Jesus promised us was that we will be brought safely through all the trials of life until we are brought safely to Christ's heavenly glory. Also Jesus promised his disciples that, whatever the circumstances of life, he would be with us always, even to the end of the world. Paul suffered this storm, but it is plain that he knew the presence and protection of Jesus in the storm.

We need to learn the lessons here, both for our comfort and our instruction. Firstly, the way forward had been given by the Lord, but the owner of the ship was not ready to accept that guidance. The trouble came because the way of God was ignored. We learn that when the way of God is known, then this is the best and safest way forward in life. We learn also that it is wise to seek the guidance of God with humble earnestness. Secondly, we learn that we may be caught up in the wrong decisions of others which we have no control over, as Paul was here. However, as Paul experienced the safe keeping and comfort of the Lord, so we may be sure we will also.

Having said this, no doubt, Paul had his moments of fear and doubt during this ordeal. What is important is not the weakness we show on the way, but the perseverance and the faith in God we have as the background to all our living. God looks at the heart. God sees the underlying character he has brought about in us through spiritual new birth. All the weakness and failure on the way is covered by the perfect atonement of Jesus for us.

Let us assure ourselves in the comfort that we are in God's plan and purpose for us. In verse 24 Paul expresses the conviction of God's plan for him. It was God's purpose that Paul would witness to Christ before the Roman Emperor. This meant that nothing could hinder this purpose. If Paul had been foolish, like Jonah in the Old Testament, and run away from the purpose of God, still God would have seen that his purpose was fulfilled, as he did in the case of Jonah. Paul did not try and run away from the purpose of God, even though he had opportunity to escape from captivity. Even so he was caught up in the folly and worldly motives of others. It may seem in life that we are caught up in the folly of others and we have no control over this, yet as Paul was assured by God, and proved in his experience, none of these events could overthrow the purpose of God for him. This is true for all of us. God is sovereign. He knows the end from the beginning. He has foreseen all eventualities, and everything has been taken into account. His plans can't fail because of his omnipotent power and wisdom. Let us rest in faith in this truth and be at peace in all circumstances of life.

Notice, also, that all the others in the ship were blessed because of God's purpose for Paul, even the pilot and the owner of the ship, who had been the cause of all the trouble, in making the wrong decisions about the journey. God included all the lives of the people with Paul on the ship. They were to be saved because of Paul. It is a fact that nations, communities, and families are blessed because of the blessing of God on his believing people who live amongst them, even though they do not believe and do not seek to obey God.

Life is full of dangers and fears, yet for those who belong to God, through faith in Jesus as their Saviour, are safe through all the storms of life, and even their final hours are in God's hands so that they are brought through physical death to his heavenly glory.