May 17thDevotion Acts 27:27-44 The Wild Ride Gets More Wild Part 4

Acts 27:27-44 – 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.

“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.”  Family, this is how we should respond to non-believers, to saints who are shipwrecking their faith, and even to our kids.  Paul gave them the message from the Lord.  He told them what they needed to do.  First, repent and change so that they do what they know they should be doing.  Then, upon turning toward The Way, we should encourage them to enjoy the freedom, the liberty, and the many blessings that come to those who love the Lord.  They needed encouragement and they needed food.  When one of us slips up we need to be encouraged to start to do what we know is right.  Sometimes it takes a stronger, but true warning.  Other times a gentler hand.  This can depend on the wrong action, or upon the heart of the person.  We remember that first and foremost the Holy Spirit is at work.  We are merely the rainbow reminding them of God’s promises.  But always, we react with truth, love and encouragement.  The end goal is always for a turning from error to Truth.  If our hand is too heavy for the situation or person, we may lose their desire to hear anything we have to say.  The good thing about children is that, they forgive our mistakes.  When dealing with their error, let’s be the same to them.

After eating to full satisfaction, they were encouraged, and likely believing the message from God that Paul had given them (that none would die) and so they threw the rest of the grain into sea.  Family, that is faith in action!  If God said they would all live, then they would all live.  So they did what they knew best to do in their situation by lightening the ship. Isn’t that what God calls us to?  We are to first have faith in God, to absolutely, completely, without-a-doubt believe God, even over our own thoughts (Most of all?).  Then we do what we know to do best and trust that God will bless our efforts.  Family, through all circumstances, at all times, let’s absolutely believe God, let’s throw overboard the security blankets (idols) we cling to and instead trust God.  He is good.  He loves us.  He is able in all and through all.  Let us push into God who is pulling us in.  Be at peace.  Let joy flow.  Let love flow.  Be happy, our God loves us!  Praise God!

Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.  Praise the Lord!

Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.

Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with Your God.

Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”