March 17, 2016
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Peace with Troubles

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Opening Prayer

Lord Jesus, You are the Author and Perfecter of my faith. Today, I want to keep my eyes on You.

Read ACTS 27:27-44

[27] On the fourteenth night we were still being driven across the Adriatic Sea, when about midnight the sailors sensed they were approaching land. [28] They took soundings and found that the water was a hundred and twenty feet deep. A short time later they took soundings again and found it was ninety feet deep. [29] Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight. [30] In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow. [31] Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.” [32] So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it drift away. [33] Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. “For the last fourteen days,” he said, “you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food-you haven’t eaten anything. [34] Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” [35] After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. [36] They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. [37] Altogether there were 276 of us on board. [38] When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea. [39] When daylight came, they did not recognize the land, but they saw a bay with a sandy beach, where they decided to run the ship aground if they could. [40] Cutting loose the anchors, they left them in the sea and at the same time untied the ropes that held the rudders. Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and made for the beach. [41] But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the surf. [42] The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. [43] But the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. [44] The rest were to get there on planks or on other pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land safely.

Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Reflect

Paul put his seafaring experiences to good use. But there was more to his leadership than that: there was his steadfast Christian faith and character.

Finally, after 14 tortuous days and nights they heard the crashing of waves on rocks. Land was near. Dreading the unknown they dropped anchor and waited for daylight. Danger was real, but Paul’s watchful presence enabled all lives to be preserved. He alerted the soldiers to sailors attempting to desert ship, knowing that their skills were essential for everyone’s survival. Then he confidently reassured them they all would be saved. He took food and gave thanks to God, then encouraged them to eat a substantial meal to provide the strength and bodily warmth necessary to reach shore. However, as they entered the bay the ship ran aground on a hidden bar and struck fast, with the stern being dashed to pieces by the pounding surf. 

Now that deliverance was close to hand, another fear gripped the soldiers. If their prisoners escaped, they themselves would receive the prisoners’ punishment and so they prepared to execute them before abandoning ship. Julius stepped in to prevent this on Paul’s account and so the whole company made their way safely to shore.

Can you imagine their relief when finally their feet touched solid ground? No wonder Luke recorded this in such detail! No one would ever forget such an ordeal. How did Paul face these terrors with peace and great presence of mind? Perhaps the answer lies in his attitude to danger and troubles. Paul viewed suffering as the mark of a servant of Christ, and in his weakness he boasts of Christ’s strength (2 Cor. 11:23–12:10). The early church identified Jesus as the Servant of the Lord, through whose suffering we are brought peace and life (Isa. 52:13; 53:5,10). As God’s servants, our attitude to troubles is not like that of other people. Christ’s strong presence is with us in suffering and he works in it for the good of those who love him (Rom. 8:28).

Apply

If you are facing a potential shipwreck in your life, what can you learn from the experiences of Paul?

Closing prayer

Living Lord, my life can be as changeable as the weather: calm, followed by a storm. Calm my spirit, Lord, and guide me to smooth waters.

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