Ok – so…….. not being a big water fan, this chapter freaks me out a bit! I’ve been out in the ocean on a boat and have decided that I like land better. But if you want a great boating “adventure”, this ride makes those who landed on Gilligan’s Island look like wimps!
As Paul prayed for God to give him the opportunity to preach in Rome, he might have done well to be a bit more specific on HOW he was gonna’ get there. I’m guessin’ that in chains and on a crazy boat ride would not have been his first choice. But that was certainly God’s agenda!
“We” (1) – Paul & Luke – are being shipped to Rome. And the first part of the trip is going ok, even allowing Paul some special freedoms. But the trip was taking too long and now it was September/October (“after the Fast”). Since there were no compasses and they navigated by stars, overcast sailing was very dangerous. Sailing in September to November was really very dangerous and all sailing ended from November to February. Paul had already experienced three shipwrecks (2 Cor. 11:25) and so Paul warns them of the impending disaster & losses. Although Julius respected Paul, he went with the advice of the pilot/owner – not good.
You guessed it, they sailed into a hurricane force storm. Now I live in Texas and experienced Hurricane Ike and never want to do that again – and I was 50 miles inland! Since you can’t fight wind in a sailboat, 1st day was a dog fight, 2nd day tossed cargo overboard, 3rd day toss tackle overboard, many days and they begin to lose hope.
Then ya’ gotta’ love verse 21: “men, you should have taken my advice…” It’s the classic “I told you so!” But take note that Paul doesn’t dwell on it but instead tells them to take courage and that only the ship (their security) will be lost. Paul shares God’s word to him and even though as professional sailors they wouldn’t listen, now desperate they will!
Ok, this scary boat ride has now gone on for 2 weeks and some of them were thinking of bailing into the lifeboats. Paul again warns them that unless they stay with the ship they “cannot be saved.” So they cut the lifeboats (again destroying their security). He tells them to eat up, you’re gonna’ need the strength and then they tossed the rest of the food (final security). The next morning the ship runs ashore and is destroyed and ALL 276 of the passengers swim & ride planks to shore and are saved! WOW – what a ride!~
SO WHAT?
*Paul’s position as a prisoner didn’t keep him from preaching the truth. He could have made excuses but he didn’t. Regardless of what we do for a living or where we are, God wants us to share His truth.
*I’m guessing that every one of us has been given wisdom by someone, rejected it for a preferred choice and paid the price – sometimes small, sometimes big. What decisions are coming up in your life that you need to seek godly counsel on? Check out the wisdom in Proverbs 15:22, 16:1,3,9 and then let’s follow it!
*What false securities do you have in your life? In this chapter it was the boat, the food and the wisdom of the sailors. What is it for you & me? Finances? Talents? Abilities? Knowledge? You can be sure that God will destroy anything that we put our trust in that pulls us from trusting in Him! Let’s ask forgiveness and help from the Lord in these areas!
*Finally, it is in times of crisis and challenge that reveal the qualities of true leaders. How do you respond when things get tough? Ask your family, they know!
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