Not a Mediterranean Cruise

Acts 27
Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be
even as it was told me.   Acts 27:25


Background:
Here we read of the most exciting journey for Paul yet, the one to Rome.
Those who accompanied Paul were Dr. Luke, Aristarchus, Julius the
centurion, and 272 other passengers, some of which were prisoners. Only
Paul had the promise of safety to Rome.
On the first leg of the journey, the ship sailed closely to shore. (Geography
buffs can check your map for all the cities named where they stopped.)
Myra is where the group changed to a cargo ship destined for Rome. It was
more like our modern barges, not a cruise ship at all.

Paul tried to warn the men of the dangerous voyage ahead of them, but none
listened. (verse 10) Winter storms in the Mediterranean were fierce and
ancient ships couldn't withstand the winds. Yes, they were sailing in winter.
Verse 14 tells of a hurricane, a northeaster, Euroclydon, in the open sea.
Cargo was thrown overboard to lighten the load. Paul was reassurred directly
from one of God's angels one night. (verse 24) He shares trust in his God with
everyone: Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved. Four anchors
are  cast out of the ship on the 14th night in order to keep it from drifting to
shore.


LET IT GLOW

What lessons can we learn from this story, hidden beneath the bow? You may
want to copy these for further reference.
In his book Paul: A Man of Grace and Grit, Charles Swindoll tells us of four
anchors we need to help stabilize us when in the middle of our life's storm:
1. The anchor of stability that will hold you firm, no matter how intense the
    gale-force winds, is God's written Word. Read Isaiah 43:1-2. Remember
    God is faithful; He has a plan, trust Him. With God on board, my ship
    won't sink.
2. The second anchor of unity overlooks fears and imaginations. Our tendency
     in dire straits is to cut and run, leave a marriage, turn to a bottle, drugs, etc.
     Don't leap and try to make it on your own. We need God's people
     surrounding us when the bottom has dropped out of our life.
3. Third, we need the anchor of renewal. Verses 33-36 say Paul encouraged
     the men to eat "for their preservation, for not a hair from the head of any of
     you shall perish." Before eating, Paul prayed and so did everyone else,
     probably. (Nothing like food to cheer up a man, huh?) verse 36
4. The fourth anchor is reality. The only way they were going to get out of this
     storm alive was that all of them got into the water and made their way to
     shore. The ship began to break apart; reality compelled them to take action.
     It may mean hard work, humility, reconciliation, counseling for us. Trust
     God to bring you to shore. All 276 men survived on shore.


LET IT GROW

The secret of survival is what you do ahead of time in calmer waters. Spend
time in God's Word. Study the inspired charts He has given you for the
journey of life. Deepen your walk with Him through prayer and personal
worship. Then, when the inevitable winds of adversity begin to blow, and they
most certainly will blow, you'll be ready to respond in faith, rather than fear.
Don't wait. Check those anchors while it's smooth sailing.  Pick specific
God-given promises you'll be able to cling to and tell the Lord you're
anchoring yourself to it. You'll be glad you did. (same reference)


LET IT GO

Wrestle with the reason for the storm.
Seek God's direction.
Don't give up.
Ride out the storm.
Do as Paul: take courage; he believed God. It will be just as He said. (verse 25 NLT)
Prepare: either we came out of a storm, are in a storm, or are going into a storm-that's life.