September 29, 2023 | Be On Mission
Sailors Release Life Boats & Toss the Cargo
Scripture: Acts 27:27-38(NIV)
27 On the fourteenth night we were still being driven across the Adriatic Sea, when about midnight the sailors sensed they were approaching land. 28 They took soundings and found that the water was a hundred and twenty feet deep. A short time later they took soundings again and found it was ninety feet deep. 29 Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight. 30 In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow. 31 Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it drift away.
33 Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. “For the last fourteen days,” he said, “you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food—you haven’t eaten anything. 34 Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” 35 After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. 36 They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. 37 Altogether there were 276 of us on board. 38 When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea.
Devotional
Two weeks of constant fear. Two weeks of excruciating hunger. Two weeks of violent storms. Two weeks of drenched bodies and fatigued muscles and surrendered spirits. They had already jettisoned the cargo. They had previously thrown over the tackle. Now they were cutting away the lifeboats and cutting loose the anchors and dumping the rest of their food supply. Running aground was a do or die situation.
Yet Paul, the eternal optimist, told everyone on board, “Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” They had heard him talk with his ministry team about faith in Christ. They had seen him share the gospel with the sailors, soldiers, and other prisoners on board. Now they were witnessing him give thanks to God in the middle of an unrelenting, raging storm.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Paul had written, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” It’s one thing to write or read this. It’s another thing to do it when your entire world is upside down.
As with yesterday, think about what are you facing that is difficult at this time. Now, take some time to follow Paul’s advice and actions:
Rejoice always…
Pray continually…
Give thanks in all circumstances…
Poem
In The Center
My husband loves an OREO
With filling in the center
Most twist the cookies
Teethe the cream
A taste sensation splendor
I think about great ships asea
Surrounded by all danger
The storm atop
Fear run aground
Death threats amid all strangers
Yet in the center sweet promise
“No hair on you shall perish”
He took the bread
Gave thanks to God
Communion with all cherish
So in the days when storms do blow
Or earth’s vessels are pressured
Take time to eat
Eucharist feast
Preserve you in the Center
