Acts 27 Devotional

A Promise Through the Storm

“So take courage, men, for I believe God that it will happen just as He told me.”Acts 27:25 (BSB)

Paul's warning against sailing on is ignored (27:10-11). Soon a violent wind seizes the ship. For days there is no sun or stars, and at last everyone gives up hope of being saved (27:14-20). Then Paul stands up with a word from God. An angel has told him he must stand before Caesar, and that God has given him the lives of everyone on board. He trusts God to do just what he said (27:23-25).

Trusting the promise does not mean doing nothing. When sailors try to slip away in the lifeboat, Paul says they must stay with the ship (27:30-31). Before dawn he urges everyone to eat, takes bread, and gives thanks to God in front of them all (27:35). The ship breaks apart on a sandbar, but all 276 people reach land (27:37, 27:44). God kept every word, and he kept it through ropes, planks and a meal. When the storm has not lifted yet, you can hold to what God has said and take the next sensible step with thanks.

To think about: In the storm you are facing, what has God promised that you can hold on to, and what next step can you take with thanks?