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2. The storm at sea, and the shipwreck on Malta (Acts 27:14-44)
ACTS 27:14-26
14 But before long, a stormy wind beat down from shore, which is called Euroclydon. 15 When the ship was caught, and couldn’t face the wind, we gave way to it, and were driven along. 16 Running under the lee of a small island called Clauda, we were able, with difficulty, to secure the boat. 17 After they had hoisted it up, they used cables to help reinforce the ship. Fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis sand bars, they lowered the sea anchor, and so were driven along. 18 As we labored exceedingly with the storm, the next day they began to throw things overboard. 19 On the third day, they threw out the ship’s tackle with their own hands. 20 When neither sun nor stars shone on us for many days, and no small storm pressed on us, all hope that we would be saved was now taken away. 21 When they had been long without food, Paul stood up in the middle of them, and said, “Sirs, you should have listened to me, and not have set sail from Crete, and have gotten this injury and loss. 22 Now I exhort you to cheer up, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night an angel, belonging to the God whose I am and whom I serve, 24 saying, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar. Behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 Therefore, sirs, cheer up! For I believe God, that it will be just as it has been spoken to me. 26 But we must run aground on a certain island.”
The storm sounded around the island of Crete. It enraged the sea, and drove the ship away from the near harbor. The seamen made every effort to reach that harbor, but they could not, for the power of the tempest drew the big ship with its two hundred and seventy six passengers into the high seas. They lifted the skiff, the small boat drawn after the ship, so that it might not fill with water and sink. As their vessel was cast about and weakened they ran under the shelter of a small island called Clauda. They could not anchor in its bay because of the huge waves that were breaking over them from the violent sea. The art of navigation at that time was far short of the standards it has reached today. Having no such modern tools as iron and strong screws, to hold the boards together, they passed cables around the vessel, to keep the planks from splitting or breaking loose in the tempest. After that, the seamen tried to drop a board loaded with heavy stones in front of the ship, to enable them to go face into the waves, thus lightening their intensity upon the ship.
The next day, amidst fears of drowning, they threw a part of the wheat cargo into the sea, to lighten the ship´s load, thus helping the vessel to better ride the waves. As the violent storm continued into the third day they threw overboard the ship’s equipment. They also cut the ship mast, and threw it with its sails and all heavy instruments into the sea. But the storm continued raging, and the sea roared loudly. Most of the passengers vomited and became dizzy. They saw neither sun nor moon for many days. Many prayed insistently and fasted, that God might answer them. Long days and nights passed, and minutes appeared like hours. Despair grew, and a melancholy sentiment prevailed. The cook did not bring food, and all the seamen, prisoners, and soldiers became weak and tired.
Then Paul stood before them and encouraged them. In spite of the violent eruption of the elements of nature, he could not refrain from scolding and upbraiding them. He reiterated that this disaster had come upon them because they had not listened to him or trusted his rightful experience. All unbelief produces loss, and can account for many a disaster. Paul was praying, however, while others were crying. His companions gathered together with him to pray for those whose hearts were still hardened. Their fellowship of love was being countered by this eruption of hell. But Christ answered their prayers, and sent an angel to Paul in the midst of the raging storm, who confirmed to him that he would not die until after he had spoken the gospel to the Roman Caesar. Yes, the ship would sink, because of the stubbornness of her owner and master. But every living thing would be saved, for the sake of Paul and his companion´s prayers. Is this event not a great example to us at the present time? It is probable that by now the wrath of God would have given up the whole world to the power of Satan and his corrupting hosts. But the power of prayer keeps men alive. God preserves the survival of everyone for the sake of the prayers of believers, and the hope of the serving church.
Paul did not give the seamen and the passengers a sermon or a theological lesson, for the ship was swaying and rolling strongly, and they were filled with fear. Paul did testify to his own firm faith, standing as a voice crying out over the wind swept waves. The apostle trusted in God, and believed that he would fulfill everything exactly as the angel had told him. So he awaited their approach to a nearby island and their certain shipwreck on the sand. The loss of the ship was unavoidable. But in the midst of the wreckage there was salvation for sure. Is this not God’s answer to the future of our countries? Pray that you and all your brothers and sisters may be saved, for we are all in the same ship, and the devil wants to destroy those who carry the Gospel in their hearts. So watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation.
PRAYER: We thank You our Lord Jesus, for You sent Paul an angel, who comforted him in the midst of despair. Send the comforter of love to all those who are imprisoned or persecuted for Your name sake, and save us, together with all the people of our nations, in the storm to come upon our culture.
QUESTION:
- Why was God prepared to save all the men on the ship in spite of their unbelief?