Shipwreck
Scripture: Acts 27:27-44
27 About midnight on the fourteenth night of the storm, as we were being driven across the Sea of Adria, 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. 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. 39 When morning dawned, they didn’t recognize the coastline, but they saw a bay with a beach and wondered if they could get to shore by running the ship aground. 40 So they cut off the anchors and left them in the sea. Then they lowered the rudders, raised the foresail, and headed toward shore. 41 But they hit a shoal and ran the ship aground too soon. The bow of the ship stuck fast, while the stern was repeatedly smashed by the force of the waves and began to break apart. 42 The soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners to make sure they didn’t swim ashore and escape. 43 But the commanding officer wanted to spare Paul, so he didn’t let them carry out their plan. Then he ordered all who could swim to jump overboard first and make for land. 44 The others held onto planks or debris from the broken ship. So everyone escaped safely to shore. (Acts 27:27-44 NLT)
Acts 27:27-44 describes the climax of Paul’s journey to Rome—it was a story of fear, faith, and survival, in the midst of darkness and storm. Please take a moment to read all the verses and we’ll look at some devotional thoughts together.
Cut the Lifeboats loose! (v. 30–32): The fearful sailors tried to sneak away in the lifeboat under the guise of dropping anchors. Paul warned that everyone must stay together, so the soldiers cut the ropes and let the lifeboat drift away. How often do we build “lifeboats”—self-made escape plans or safety nets—because we don’t fully trust God’s promise to carry us through a storm? Faith often requires cutting the ropes to our backup plans and trusting the place God has called us to stand.
Breaking Bread in the Middle of the Storm (v. 33–36): After two weeks of terror and fasting, Paul encouraged everyone to eat. In front of 276 terrified passengers, he gave thanks to God, broke off a piece of bread, and ate it. His peace and confidence was contagious and soon they were all encouraged and having something to eat. Praising God and nourishing your spirit shouldn’t wait until you reach safe harbor. You can practice gratitude and find strength while the waves are still crashing around you. Spiritual nourishment even in the middle of chaos is often what gives you the stamina to finish the journey.
God’s Promises Rarely Mean Easy Sailing! (v. 41–44): God promised Paul everyone would survive, but He didn’t promise the ship would stay intact. The vessel hit a shoal, broke into pieces, and the passengers had to swim or hold onto broken planks to get to land. Yet, verse 44 ends with, “So everyone escaped safely to shore.” God’s faithfulness doesn’t guarantee that your comfort or current structure won’t break apart. Sometimes God brings you through a storm on “broken pieces”—imperfect, messy, and unexpected means. The ship may be lost, but God’s plan for your life remains secure.
Every one of us has either been in a storm, is in a storm, or will be in a storm. It’s part of the nature of the journey of faith! Take a few moments before you go back to “bailing water out of the boat” and allow the story to settle into your soul.
- Let the “lifeboat” go. Trust God’s promise.
- Slow down, break some bread, and nourish your soul (the ride may still be pretty bumpy)!
- Don’t be surprised if God brings you through on a “plank”! What matters is that God will bring you through!
Prayer:
Father, Thank you for your faithful promises! Storms have come and gone. Sometimes cargo is lost to the sea. Please help us not to abandon ship in a little lifeboat of our own devising. Give us faith to stay the course and ride it out! We love you, we trust you, we’ll see you on the shore! In Jesus’ Name! Amen.