Paul’s journey to Rome, In the book of Acts chapter 27.
In verses 6, the Centurion found a ship of Alexandria, and put Paul and others on board the ship. Verse 9, Paul admonishing those on board and in verse 11, the Centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than the things which were spoken of by Paul. Verse 14, But not long after there arose again it a tempest wind.
Before continuing in the scripture, the world faced the covid19 virus, people losing their jobs, dying from the virus, being at home then the death of G, Floyd. Followed by other events. In addition the USA election in November and if you are from the UK, Brexit is happening in December.
Please continue reading the next few verses that follows through to verses 19. In verse 20, And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then away. Verse 21, But after long…Paul stood forth in the mist of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.
At the start of the virus, I made an appeal for all of us to see the Lord. In verse 22, And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship.
Pray or talk with him for, forgiveness (relating to how God sees us, and wanting us to come to Him). At the crucifixion Jesus says to the Father forgive them for they know not what they have done. Not knowing that the event which took place after my appeal, to ask for forgiveness was going to happen, happened. The times appears uncertain which can cause all of one’s emotion to rise for example anxiety, stress and confusion; but here in Acts verse 27, you see God’s mercies and grace. Verses 24, fear not…! Verse 25, Wherefore, Sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. My question is, are we going to believe God? May I ask another question what choice have you and I got? Well I can speak for myself, no other choice.
In verses 29 please read for yourselves. You could be the men that were in the ship unconvinced, and because they were making preparations to abandon the ship, as you keep reading through to verse 30. Verse 31, Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, except these abide in the ship, ye can not be saved, so they listened. Praise God!
Verse 33 and 34 Paul encourages the men to take meat for they had not ate, he also comforted them by saying ‘for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you’. Verse 35 Paul took bread, gave thanks then broke and eat. 36, the men were of good cheers and ate.
I am guessing, I should be hearing from the Lord encouraging and comforting others, especially who, may not know the Lord. The numbers in the ship were huge so many lives were saved. Continuing on, there was another preparation made, seen in verse 38.
In verse 39 God provided because it reads there was a certain creek with a shore. Verse 41,…they ran the ship aground; and the forepart struck fast, and remained unmoved. How awesome is God’s provision so let’s us look to the Lord in faith and trust.
There is a saying trust brings love. God already loves us, it is more the question do we love Him? Well let us learn to trust Him and see, how our love for Him will grow.
By Kerri-Ann
