Acts 27:20 "And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away."
Paul, along with 275 others, had been driven out to sea on a voyage that never should have happened in the first place. They had done everything they could—girding up the ship, casting out the tackle—but all human efforts had proven useless. Then comes our verse, describing the hopelessness of their situation. As if the storm wasn’t enough, even the heavens seemed to be against them. In those days, if you couldn’t see the sun or stars, you had no way to navigate—you were simply drifting with no sense of direction. Imagine the despair! Not only were they in great peril, longing for solid ground, but they didn’t even know which way safety lay.
Most of us will never find ourselves physically shipwrecked like this, but we’ve all, to some degree, embarked on unwise endeavors. We’ve set sail toward our desired destination despite the wise counsel of God’s people, only to find ourselves in the middle of a mess. We shift into survival mode—casting off what we can, strengthening what we can—but nothing seems to work. Then, worst of all, heaven seems silent. You’ve looked but can’t see, you’ve prayed but can’t hear, and you have no idea which direction to go. That’s exactly where Paul and his shipmates were. Maybe that’s where you are now. So, what do we do when we feel hopeless, helpless, and directionless?
Acts 27:21"But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss."
The ship’s crew had been looking to the sun and stars for guidance, but Paul knew the Maker of the sun, moon, and stars—the One whose direction cannot be lost in the storm. But notice, it was after long abstinence that he emerged. When everything is failing and your ship is about to go down, someone on board had better get alone with God—and not come back until they’ve heard from Him. Too many Christians go down with their ship, clinging to the wheel in self-reliance as if it were noble, when they could have saved themselves and others if they had just surrendered to God’s direction.
Paul didn’t hesitate to remind them that they wouldn’t be in this mess if they had listened to him. We, too, need this reminder when our own prideful, stubborn decisions drive us into stormy waters. Their heartache, loss, and suffering were all the result of one act of disobedience. Let that sink in: choosing to sail outside of God’s instruction is a suicide mission, and once you set sail, turning back is nearly impossible. But just when you might expect another rebuke from Paul, his tone shifts.
Acts 27:22-25"And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship. For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me."
What a relief! Their lives would be spared! But then came the bitter reality—the ship would be lost. Christian, let this truth sink deep into your heart. Your life is secure in Christ, but how many ministries have been lost? How many churches have been driven onto the rocks? How many investments of God’s people—wonderful works built over generations—have been wrecked by hardheaded captains who refused to yield to God? It is tragic to reach the end of life, saved but suffering great loss because of our own decisions.
Yet, even in total loss, Paul tells them to be of good cheer. Just a few chapters earlier, Jesus Himself spoke those same words to Paul in a moment of discouragement (Acts 23:11), and now Paul is using them to encourage others.
It was God’s plan for Paul’s life that assured him he would be saved:"Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee."
Maybe, like Paul and the others on board, you’ve found yourself in a mess caused by someone else’s decisions. You had no part in choosing this course, yet here you are. Fear not. The poor decisions and stubbornness of the captain are no match for the sovereignty of God. If He has somewhere for you to be, you’ll get there—even if you have to float in on the broken pieces of a shipwrecked vessel.
In the midst of all the turmoil and despair, Paul had been receiving comfort from the Lord. And now, having been comforted, he was able to comfort others. That’s why it’s so important to get alone with God—to receive direction, assurance, and peace—so we can return to the storms of life with confidence and offer the peace and assurance of God to those around us.
In Closing:
Let this be a warning against stubborn pride, which has led many to total loss. If you find yourself in a storm of your own making, stop looking to the stars for direction—look instead to the One who made the stars. Get alone with Him until He gives you direction and hope. If you are like the many others on board this doomed vessel, be of good cheer and believe God. He reigns over the affairs of men, and their bad decisions do not determine your destiny.
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