Tuesday, September 25, 2018
Acts 27:21-22 After the men had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: "Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost, only the ship will be destroyed.
COURAGE
The ship carrying Paul and others toward Rome was blown hopelessly off course. Nor was just a passing storm, for it was getting toward winter and they could expect more of the same. They threw the cargo and ship's gear overboard to make the ship ride higher in the water, but still they were at the mercy of the storm. For many days they saw neither sun nor stars. Finally they gave up hope of surviving. That's when Paul stood up and said, "You should have listened to me."
Now, that does not sound very gracious, does it? Was Paul so intent on being right that he had to rub their noses in it? That would not be unusual for our sinful human nature, but Paul had another purpose. He had another message for them, and he wanted them to listen to it. So he first reminded them that his advice was worthwhile, before coming with a new message. When the weather had been good, they would not listen to his warning, and now with no relief in sight he wants them to cheer up, to believe that the God whom Paul served would take care of them all!
Now this is truly wonderful! Our God takes such good care of us that in rescuing us He also blesses those around us, and so makes us a blessing to them!
