When
the Storm Opens Our Eyes
Acts 27:13-26
In this passage, we read about Paul, who is a
prisoner at this time, tells Julius, who was an officer and sailor, not to go out
sailing. Julius ignores Paul because he only sees Paul as a prisoner and not a preacher
of God.
Acts 27:13-14 ESV
[13] Now when the south wind blew gently, supposing
that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete,
close to the shore. [14] But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck
down from the land.
At first, the trip goes smoothly and there are
no problems. Then a storm occurs and becomes worse and worse. For three days, the
storm rages and no one can see the stars or the sun. The crew and passengers tried
and tried to save the ship, but nothing happens.
The crew had to throw over their cargo and tackle.
They have basically given up.
Acts 27:18-20 ESV
[18] Since we were violently storm-tossed, they
began the next day to jettison the cargo. [19] And on the third day they threw the
ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. [20] When neither sun nor stars appeared
for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at
last abandoned.
At this time, everyone is exhausted. They have
done everything they could to save themselves by lightening the ship's load by throwing
over the cargo and tackle. Without tackle they cannot raise their sails. They are
lost at the sea.
Acts 27:21-23 ESV
[21] Since they had been without food for a long
time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and
not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. [22] Yet now I urge
you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the
ship. [23] For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom
I belong and whom I worship,
Paul reassures them that God will save them. Often
God can only help us when we have no more strength. When we become completely dependent
on God.
Similar to the sailors, we think we know better
than God. We try to fix problems with our own knowledge and skills.
Julius did not understand who Paul was and what
God could do. When the Storm came, Julius could see who God really was and what
the reality is. When life is calm, it seems we can do things on our own and we might
ignore God.
Storms will come and there is no stopping them.
These storms allow us to experience God's greatness and faithfulness. The storm
is powerful, but God is more powerful.
The storm will not have the last word, but God
will. We need to have faith that is like a safety belt. We can put the safety belt
on and be confident that we will be safe even if an accident occurs.
