Paul could see what was ahead. He advised the Ship’s Captain not to make the voyage, but to no avail. So as the ship got to sea, a huge storm hit. Not only did the storm hit, but it lasted for days. All aboard had given up and expected to die–well all but Paul. God had already prepared Paul for this journey. The trials and beatings he had already received convinced Paul to trust the Lord to deliver him to complete the mission to Rome. So just as everyone was taking final tally of their lives, Paul was assured by an angel that they would not lose even one man to this storm.
One can be sure that the others aboard ship would have liked to have received the message personally, but, Paul had been dead on so far. Paul did not promise that the journey would be without loss–simply without loss of life. It was going to be a difficult cruise, but God promised to deliver all that were with Paul for Paul’s sake.
In our lives, we need to trust the Lord that has taken us through so many trials to continue to prepare, protect and provide for us. We are never promised an easy journey, in fact, the opposite is true. The Lord does promise to walk with us and, if we will allow, assist us in completing the mission for which we have been called.
We must keep moving forward and never long for what might have been. Paul was so clear in Philippians 4: 11-13,”We must learn to be content–WHATEVER the circumstance. Whether well fed or hungry living in plenty or in want–WE can do all things through Christ who gives us strength.” The men on the ship would soon learn that principle in no uncertain terms. My prayer is that I live it in my own life.
God Bless You
When a gentle south wind began to blow, they saw their opportunity; so, they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete. 14 Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the Northeaster, swept down from the island. 15 The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so, we gave way to it and were driven along. 16 As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure, 17 so the men hoisted it aboard. Then they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Because they were afraid, they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor[b] and let the ship be driven along. 18 We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. 19 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 the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.
21 After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. 22 But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. 23 Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me 24 and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ 25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. 26 Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.”
Walking With God 