27 About midnight on the fourteenth night of the storm, as we were being driven across the Sea of Adria,[e] the sailors sensed land was near. 28 They dropped a weighted line and found that the water was 120 feet deep. But a little later they measured again and found it was only 90 feet deep.[f] 29 At this rate they were afraid we would soon be driven against the rocks along the shore, so they threw out four anchors from the back of the ship and prayed for daylight.

30 Then the sailors tried to abandon the ship; they lowered the lifeboat as though they were going to put out anchors from the front of the ship. 31 But Paul said to the commanding officer and the soldiers, “You will all die unless the sailors stay aboard.” 32 So the soldiers cut the ropes to the lifeboat and let it drift away.

33 Just as day was dawning, Paul urged everyone to eat. “You have been so worried that you haven’t touched food for two weeks,” he said. 34 “Please eat something now for your own good. For not a hair of your heads will perish.” 35 Then he took some bread, gave thanks to God before them all, and broke off a piece and ate it. 36 Then everyone was encouraged and began to eat— 37 all 276 of us who were on board. 38 After eating, the crew lightened the ship further by throwing the cargo of wheat overboard.

Acts 27:27-38 (NLT) 中文

Journey to Rome

Paul’s long, God-ordained, trial of 2+ years is over. What started in Jerusalem with the Jewish leaders accusing Paul of religious crimes moved to Caesarea where he stood before various Roman governors and finally King Agrippa. He is now on the way to Rome to stand trial before Caesar. The crew didn’t listen to his advice about staying in Fair Havens for the winter. Now they are suffering the consequences.

Heightened fear

After two weeks of storms, the crew relinquished all hope. As they were about to run aground on rocks, they “prayed for daylight” (v29). They were at a point of desperation which forced them to pray. As I mentioned in the last post, in a similar situation sailing on Lake Michigan as a kid with my dad, I too resorted to desperate prayer.

Man’s solution

So the sailors, seeking to save their own buts, prepared to escape using the lifeboat – under the guise of setting anchors. Paul, with much respect and authority, warns the commanding officer to stop them. Based on the message from the angel in the previous passage, he reminded them all would die if they do this (v31). And the centurion listened to Paul this time (whereas he listened to the boat captain and sailors at the last major decision about wintering).

Effective encouragement

Paul encourages everyone (all 276 on the boat) to trust God that they will be saved and to eat some food since it’s been 14 days! Then, in front of them all, he sets an example and takes bread, gives thanks, and eats. What a powerful testimony of faith. It encouraged all the others to do the same. And as a further demonstration of their faith, they tossed over all the wheat – their last source of food.

RЯeflection

• What a powerful man Paul is. It’s not his physical strength that convinces people and encourages them but his spiritual and emotional strength. His source is the Lord. He seeks and trusts the Lord with his whole heart. He takes the strength and encouragement he receives and passes it to others. We can do the same!