Read: Acts 27:1-44
Paul left Jerusalem for Italy with two Roman officers and a cargo of other prisoners along with soldiers and sailors. Paul was shown much kindness from Julius, the captain of the Imperial Regiment so he was allowed to freely visit with his friends. Paul was probably the only prisoner that they could trust since he himself had appealed to Caesar.
Leaving there, the trip got worse and worse with bad weather and choppy sea. When they finally reached Fair Havens, a bay in Crete, Paul gave them a word of knowledge that there was trouble ahead if they continued. The crew wanted to go to the next harbor which made more sense because it had a better harbor for protecting the ship during the winter. So, they went against God’s word and followed common sense. They spent days in fear for their lives as they fought the storm without food or sleep. Finally, the sailors tried to escape on a life boat but Paul told the commanding officer that they would all die if they were allowed to leave. The officer listened to Paul this time and made them cut the ropes to the life boat. (I wonder how many of the sailors wanted to kill Paul as they watched their lifeboat sail away, or if the boat broke into pieces minutes after it hit the water and they were glad.)
That night an angel came to Paul and encouraged him that they would all be safe. Paul told the men and to show his peace, he broke some bread and prayed aloud and encouraged them to eat with him. This was a strange thing to do when you think you are fighting for your life, but Paul had gotten a word from God. If they had listened to his first “word from God” they wouldn’t have been in this situation. They were ready to hear this time and ate with him. They were strengthened to go back out and fight. The ship hit ground and started to fall apart. When the soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners to keep them from escaping, Julius came to Paul’s rescue. Because of Paul, all the prisoners were spared and they swam to the island of Malta where they were all safe.
This story lets us see the importance of hearing the voice of God and obeying it. Sometimes what God tells us to do goes against common sense but God sees the end from the beginning and knows all things. His wisdom is always right. All the men on the boat were becoming witnesses of Paul’s walk with God.
Lord, help us to be quick to hear and quick to respond to your voice even if it defies reason.
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