Mon.’s Devo - God’s Providence and Protection

Read: Acts 27-28
These chapters read as if they were written by one of the Roman seamen. Paul was put in a ship bound for Rome under the care of Julius. Julius was kind to Paul and allowed him to visit with his friends when they docked in Sidon. They set sail again and at Lycia they changed ships. They left the ship, Adramyttium which means “not in the race” for one called Alexandria which means “man-defender”. Little did they know they would need to be defended against the waves that were coming their way. Satan did not want Paul to reach his destination which is obvious in the troubles they met. God showed Paul that they were heading for a storm that would cause much damage to their ship and be a threat to their lives. So they stayed in Crete for the worse part of the winter and waited till the wind changed and became much softer. Thinking it was now safe, they set sail. An east wind called Euroclydon rose up in a terrible storm. They threw most of their cargo overboard to lighten their load and fought the storm for days. Paul encouraged them with his vision he had had where an angel stood beside him. The angel had told him to not be afraid because he was to stand before the Caesar in Rome and all his fellow seamen would live also. They must land on an island because these people would need to hear the good news.
After 14 nights of battling the storm, their instruments told them they were nearing land. As the men were preparing to leave the ship, Paul told them the only way to be saved was to stay on the ship so they did. Paul made the men eat and give thanks to God.
This is a reminder to us. In the midst of the storms of life our gut reaction is to get out of the storm ASAP, but sometimes we are suppose to just ride the wave and have faith in God. We have to lighten our load by repenting of anything we are carrying that we shouldn’t have, then we just need to keep fighting and trusting.
Paul saved the lives of all 266 people on board. God had a mission for Paul on that island. He was able to heal and pray for many people. He won the trust and respect of his men and the men on the island and God got the glory.
Lord, thank you for the storms that come into our lives. Help us to quickly repent and not give up fighting evil because you will rescue us in your timing.