Acts in 28 DaysSample

Acts 27:1, 9-44

Acts chapter 27 reads like a gripping suspense novel; it's a fascinating account by Luke of Paul's adventure-filled trip to Rome and the shipwreck that occurred on the way. In the middle of the storm, Paul has an "I told you so" moment, but it wasn’t about gloating in his own knowledge. Rather, he wanted to help the people on the voyage with him understand that he spoke with divine insight, and now he was telling them to take courage. Notice that first (verse 10) Paul had said that there would be a loss of lives, but after he said the opposite, that no one would die (verse 24). As an angel had relayed to Paul, "God has given you the lives of everyone on this voyage." Paul must have been praying for his fellow prisoners, and his captors, and God heard and answered. As a prisoner, he could have gained freedom if others had perished, but that wasn’t his priority.

What a difference between Paul and everyone else on board! They were so frightened by the storm that they had lost all hope and had even stopped eating. Paul was exposed to the same danger as the others; the waves were just as high, and the darkness was just as intense. Everything was exactly the same, except that God had strengthened Paul with a word of encouragement, and he had a relationship with him that the others did not have. This gave Paul consolation that made him react very differently from everyone else. This is a key aspect of the Christian faith: we have access to divine resources through prayer, reading the Word, and praise; resources that mean we live life very differently to the world around us.

Paul's experience is a powerful reminder that God can use every storm for His glory. While you might not navigate a literal sea storm like Paul, life tosses figurative storms our way in the form of problems and difficulties. Yet, in these storms, we're not alone. God is in control.

GO DEEP

Think about the difference between Paul's attitude and everyone else's. How did this attitude lead him to be a blessing to everyone on the ship? What is inside you is going to come out; what attitude will people see in you as you go through difficulties?

BE BOLD

Are there situations you go through with non-believers in which you can give a unique, gospel-centred perspective? Think about a difficult situation that you may have to face; maybe something at school, or with your friends or family. Plan now for a way to gently talk about what difference your faith makes in your life and attitude, to those you go through difficulties with.

MEMORISE IT

“So take courage, men, because I trust God that it will turn out just as he told me." - Acts 27:25