Acts 27

Devotional by Kal Kilgo

Read Acts 27

Acts 27

Paul Sails for Rome

27 And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort named Julius. 2 And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica. 3 The next day we put in at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be cared for. 4 And putting out to sea from there we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were against us. 5 And when we had sailed across the open sea along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra in Lycia. 6 There the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy and put us on board. 7 We sailed slowly for a number of days and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, and as the wind did not allow us to go farther, we sailed under the lee of Crete off Salmone. 8 Coasting along it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea.

9 Since much time had passed, and the voyage was now dangerous because even the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, 10 saying, “Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” 11 But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said. 12 And because the harbor was not suitable to spend the winter in, the majority decided to put out to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing both southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there.

The Storm at Sea

13 Now when the south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to the shore. 14 But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land. 15 And when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along. 16 Running under the lee of a small island called Cauda, we managed with difficulty to secure the ship’s boat. 17 After hoisting it up, they used supports to undergird the ship. Then, fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the gear, and thus they were driven along. 18 Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo. 19 And on the third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.

21 Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. 22 Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, 24 and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. 26 But we must run aground on some island.”

27 When the fourteenth night had come, as we were being driven across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land. 28 So they took a sounding and found twenty fathoms. A little farther on they took a sounding again and found fifteen fathoms. 29 And fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come. 30 And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, and had lowered the ship’s boat into the sea under pretense of laying out anchors from the bow, 31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship’s boat and let it go.

33 As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. 34 Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.” 35 And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. 36 Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves. 37 (We were in all 276 persons in the ship.) 38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.

The Shipwreck

39 Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore. 40 So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach. 41 But striking a reef, they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf. 42 The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. 43 But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, 44 and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.

Devotional

When you read this passage, you probably wouldn’t label this as one of Paul’s “favorite day” in ministry. For years, he had been longing to go to Rome to establish a home base for the Church. In this chapter, we see the sovereignty of God on display. Luke gives us a detailed account of Paul’s voyage to Rome, beginning with difficulty (27:4,7-8) and ending with disaster (27:40-44). But at the moment when it seemed like all hope was lost, God sends an angel to tell Paul “Do not be afraid.” (24). More often than not, God answers our prayers in ways we’d never expect. The shipwreck was always a part of God’s plan.

While you and I will most likely never be in this exact situation, we will certainly go through hard times and trials. But because of Jesus, you will never face hardship alone. Our struggles are a reminder that hope is not based in our circumstances, but in the God who holds all things together. Notice how Paul was exposed to the same dangers as everyone else, the waves were just as high, and the darkness was just as intense. As followers of Christ, you and I will face the same challenges as this world. Christians face trials and struggles just like everyone else. But we have a source of hope that the world doesn’t.

How can you seek God for encouragement in the middle of your storm today?

20 thoughts on “Day Twenty-Seven | The Book of Acts”

  1. my “shipwreck’ happened 4 years ago, when my 20-year-old daughter died from a seizure overnight. That moment created a paramount crisis in my life that I would not have been able to overcome, but God. We face many challenges and hardships, yet God is always there when we are broken, shipwrecked, or lost. During the storm of grief, I found a God that loved and cared for me. although the grief is still painful, I found joy in knowing that God loves us with such an amazing love that I will never fathom the depth of that love. I can face any storm knowing He is always there.

    2. “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.”
      Thanks for being a living picture of that scripture.

  2. My hope is built on nothing less
    than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
    I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
    but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

    On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand:
    all other ground is sinking sand;
    all other ground is sinking sand.

    When darkness veils his lovely face,
    I rest on his unchanging grace;
    in every high and stormy gale,
    my anchor holds within the veil. [Refrain]

    His oath, his covenant, his blood,
    support me in the whelming flood;
    when all around my soul gives way,
    he then is all my hope and stay. [Refrain]

    When he shall come with trumpet sound,
    O may I then in him be found:
    dressed in his righteousness alone,
    faultless to stand before the throne.

    May you hum this throughout your day.

    1. This is my favorite hymn of all time and is truly what keeps me going in the very hard times.

      1. I love this song. We sing this song in choir and to the congregation. HALLELUJAH AND AMEN!!🙏😴🙏⛪

  3. For we know that God’s Word is true! God’s Promises are fulfilling! In the midst of the Storm, God will carry us through! Isaiah 41:10 says, “ Do not fear, for I am with you: do not be afraid , for I am your God. I will strengthen you: I will help you: I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.” I remember this verse when going through a storm. It brings great comfort to my soul as I envision my Lord extending and stretching his “righteous right hand” out towards my reach! “All things are possible through Christ who strengthens me!” Blessed Be His Name Forever!

  4. The best way I can seek the Lord today is first to ask the Hoky Spirit to constantly make me aware of His nearness. Knowing that He’s near gives me a feeling of safety and when He doesn’t “feel” near, I pray I wouldn’t be afraid or try to be self-sufficient and go through life without Him. Flexing the muscles of prayer throughout my day will help in overcoming any and every circumstance.

    1. I truly believe because that “nearness” of which you speak of has an opposite. Apart. Lost in the “wilderness” -at times being in complete darkness other times seeing the light but unable to reach it. Never will I wander away from the Light .
      That “closeness” is what I yearned for all my life without realizing that He had been waiting for me

  7. EVERY morning before I start my day I SEEK God for Encouragement, Guidance and Strength to face the known and unknown for the day. God has gotten me through many storms !!! I can’t live without my HIM🙏🏾❤️

  8. The lyrics of this song by Kari Jobe are so true. We are not alone! Our Lord and Savior will never leave us!

    When I walk though deep waters
    I know that you will be with me
    When I’m standing in the fire
    I will not be overcome
    Through the valley of the shadow
    I will not fear

    I am not alone
    I am not alone
    You will go before me
    You will never leave me

    In the midst of deep sorrow
    I see your light is breaking through
    The dark of night will not overtake me
    I am pressing into you
    Lord, you fight my every battle
    And I will not fear

    I am not alone
    I am not alone
    You will go before me
    You will never leave me

    You amaze me
    Redeem me
    You call me as your own

    You’re my strength
    You’re my defender
    You’re my refuge in the storm
    Through these trials
    You’ve always been faithful
    You bring healing to my soul

    I am not alone
    I am not alone
    You will go before me
    You will never leave me

    I am not alone
    No, I am not alone
    You will go before me
    You will never leave me

    I am not alone
    I am not alone
    You will go before me
    You will never leave me

  10. Thanks Kal for reminding us through this passage that we are not immune from life’s ship wrecks. We are susceptible to the waves and storms just like everyone else. BUT our outlook should be totally different than that of the world.
    I’ve been on my own since I was 16yrs old. I’ve been without food and home, but God told me early in my struggles that He has a plan for my life and I’ve trusted Him through those times. He has blessed me tremendously!!

  11. Lord, strengthen my faith by helping me focus on you, not my circumstances, giving me peace, comfort and hope.

  12. The “shipwreck” in my life presented itself 16 years ago when I became very ill with several conditions at one time…double pneumonia, congestive heart failure and kidney failure.
    I found myself on dialysis four hours a day.
    Those sessions gave me plenty of time to pray and ask for God to give me the same faith as the woman who touched the hem of Jesus and of Paul who found himself in so many precarious situations. God answered my prayers….I was released from dialysis after 8 months and share the story of God’s Healing Hand and my strengthened faith whenever I can.

  13. I believe in the fact that the blood that was shed was not to cover the sin, it was to also comfort the broken hearted, because of how God’s love has shown us the importance of how his love is to comfort us with the blood that was shed and that we also take in the gratitude of how his blood was to also bring comfort within times of sin and sadness.

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