Acts 27

Acts 27

At first the last two chapters of Acts would seem to be just a narrative lacking in what could be considered used for discussions on theology.  They depict Paul’s final voyage to Rome being met with shipwreck and hardship.  But these passages reveal a simple promise given to Paul about the outcome of this baleful ship voyage.  God simply told Paul that he must appear before Caesar.  This Paul believed and his faith convinced the leadership of the ship.  Before the voyage left Crete the captain and the owner decided against Paul’s advice because the weather conditions were favorable.  They made a judgement based on what they could perceive in the moment, a decision nearly all of us would make.

But when the voyage turned disastrous and “all hope was lost” Paul’s faith took leadership. He says, “be of good cheer: for I believe God, that is shall be as it was told me”.  This moment of hopelessness presented an opportunity to create faith in the faithless.  We find the soldiers and even the captain begin to trust the advice of Paul, even when the conditions favored another solution , they still followed Paul’s advice. (30-32)  What changed the mens hearts toward Paul?  What principles in the narrative prove true in your own life?  The reader may not identify with Paul, you may not be a leader, but what then has God given you to follow?  Do you trust God or do you make decisions based only on what is in front of you?

You may identify with Paul, you’re a leader but your leadership has yet to mature.  I do not wish to sound reductionistic here because there are many facets to leadership outside the scope of this narrative.  But perhaps your leadership is heading for a time of hopelessness in which your faith in God will be given an opportunity to present itself and win the hearts of despairing.  Although the circumstances in your life have shipwrecked, your faith however does not need to.  Get close to God, turn away from sin, and let God use you to create faith in those who would follow you.