Monday, May 22, 2017

Acts 27: Stormy Weather

In this chapter, the Apostle Paul, who had narrowly escaped many attempts on his life by fellow humans, now must endure a crisis from an "Act of God" - a violent storm at sea.

The level of detail in Acts 27 helps us to vividly picture these scenes in our mind.  Luke gives us first a travelogue of the various places where Paul's ship puts in.  Then he gives us a play-by-play of the action, following Paul's disregarded advice to winter at Crete.  They are, he fears, in for some stormy weather (vs. 10).

Indeed, a severe storm, lasting 14 days, lashed at the ship and drove the men to despair.  (Luke is apparently still traveling with Paul and experiencing this storm as well, as he continues to use the pronoun "we.")

Paul, while not above saying "I told you so" (vs. 21), encourages the men with a report of an angelic visitation where he was told that no loss of life would be sustained.  The cargo and the ship itself, however, would be lost.  Paul's words come true as the ship runs aground and all the passengers make their way to land, swimming or riding pieces of debris.

In our lives today, God doesn't promise  perpetually sunny skies or smooth sailing - but He does promise to go with us through whatever trials await!

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