TRUST
Acts 27:31–44
While Paul made use of sea travel in his missionary endeavors, his longest journey by ship was the journey from Caesarea to Rome. Luke’s description of Paul’s journey is one of the most detailed nautical accounts in ancient history. It was not like a modern-day cruise. Luke describes the hardships Paul and others on the ship encountered. “For many days neither sun nor stars appeared, and the severe storm kept raging” (v. 20).
Paul’s shipmates lost hope that they would survive. Because Paul trusted God during the storm, he was able to encourage and give practical advice and actionable directions to the captain and his shipmates.
Call to Trust (31–34)
Paul in one sense assumed the role of ship captain in the storm. When some sailors attempted to abandon ship and ride out the storm on a small skiff, Paul communicated his belief to the centurion and soldiers that such an action would result in loss of life. He advised them to stay on the ship for their safety. Perhaps surprisingly, they obeyed someone who was not a sailor.
Paul did not lack an understanding of the dangers of first-century sea travel. He had survived many “dangers on the sea” (2 Cor. 11:26). Rather than the captain, Paul seemed to be in charge. He directed the sailors to eat so they would survive. Paul connected the idea of the sailors eating some food to not losing a hair from their heads. I wish it were so simple!
Act in Faith (35–38)
Paul giving thanks to God in their presence was a witness of his faith to the pagan sailors. Are we ashamed to give thanks in a restaurant where people may see our expression of thanksgiving? Paul then set the example by eating some bread. This encouraged the others on board the ship and they also took food. The biblical text is unclear regarding the source of the bread. Is it possible that Luke describes a miracle? Although it is inadvisable to view this as a Eucharist meal because the sailors were unbelievers, the language of breaking bread and eating mirrors in some sense the language of the Lord’s Supper in the gospels. Both Jesus and Paul took bread, gave thanks and broke the bread. Paul’s action encouraged the others and they also ate food. The number of men on board the ship was 276, but there was sufficient food for each sailor. They cast the leftover grain overboard into the sea.
When have you stepped out on faith, trusting God to provide for your needs?
Persistent Trust (39–44)
At daylight the crew acted. They cut the anchors, loosened the ropes and hoisted the sails. They struck a sandbar and the ship broke up because of wave action. The Roman soldiers on board planned to kill the prisoners so they would not escape, but the centurion wanted to save Paul and ordered his men to jump overboard and get to land.
Others floated on debris from the ship. Everyone safely reached the shore. Paul eventually attained his goal of reaching Rome. The proclamation of the gospel in Rome fulfilled the Great Commission in the sense that it was the most prominent city of the Roman Empire. What spiritual habits have helped you to trust God?
By Mark Rathel
Pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in DeFuniak Springs, Florida
