8-27-2014 Acts 27:9-37
S. 9
Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the
fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,10 And said unto them, Sirs, I
perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the
lading and ship, but also of our lives.11 Nevertheless the centurion believed
the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken
by Paul.12 And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part
advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice,
and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south
west and north west.13 And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they
had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.14 But
not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.15
And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her
drive.16 And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much
work to come by the boat:17 Which when they had taken up, they used helps,
undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands
strake sail, and so were driven.18 And we being exceedingly tossed with a
tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;19 And the third day we cast out
with our own hands the tackling of the ship.20 And when neither sun nor stars
in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should
be saved was then taken away21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in
the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have
loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.22 And now I exhort
you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among
you, but of the ship.23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God,
whose I am, and whom I serve,24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought
before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.25
Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as
it was told me.26 Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.27 But when the
fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about
midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country;28 And sounded,
and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they
sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.29 Then fearing lest we should have
fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the
day.30 And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let
down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors
out of the foreship,31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except
these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.32Then the soldiers cut off the
ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.33 And while the day was coming on,
Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day
that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.34 Wherefore I
pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an
hair fall from the head of any of you.35 And when he had thus spoken, he took
bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken
it, he began to eat.36 Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took
some meat.37 And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen
souls.
O. The
journey is filled with danger and hardship. God gives Paul knowledge; if all
the people stay together, none shall die. The sailors and soldiers do all
within their human strength to overcome the terrible storm and save the ship.
A. Humans
will go to great length to make things turn out the way they want them to go.
Trusting God is seldom the direction taken. We must first believe in God as the
“only true source” of help and direction. Then we must listen to his direction
and obey his voice.
P. Father;
speak to me from your word and declare your will. Direct me by your Holy Spirit
in all matters of life, both great and small. Amen.
