Acts 27:13-26   (CLICK HERE FOR BIBLE VERSES)

Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is Acts 27:13-26.  As usual, I encourage you to read the passage yourself first and see what you can glean with the Holy Spirit’s help, then read the GAME sharing below.  Let’s go!

Acts 27:13-26 (NIV)
13  When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they had obtained what they wanted; 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  When the men had hoisted it aboard, they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Fearing that they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor 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 the men 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 whose I am 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.”  

On verses 13-26:  As Paul and about 270 others sail to Rome, their ship is caught in the middle of a storm of hurricane proportions called a northeaster.  After many days of fearing for their lives, Paul stands up and addresses everyone on the ship, telling them to keep up their courage, because God spoke to Paul and assured him that he would go to Rome to testify before Caesar and that not one person on this ship would be lost.

What was Paul’s hope in the biggest storm of his life?  The Word of God.  It was God’s word, spoken to Paul’s heart, that gave Paul uncommon courage and the ability to help others in an incredibly stressful and uncertain time.

Believe it or not, I’m not someone who likes to talk.  I’m a pretty quiet person when I’m on my own.  But God also gave me a passion for His church.  And when my wife and I were being commissioned to plant a church in Vancouver, the prospect of having to preach every Sunday was daunting and scary to me.  But I remember I was in Taipei, Taiwan walking on Chung Shan North Road, when I sensed the Holy Spirit say to me, “JB, you never have to worry about what to preach on Sundays.”  Many years later, I still hang onto this word.  In those times when I’m stressed, times when I’m not sure what to preach, starting to feel overwhelmed, I hang onto this word that God spoke to my heart, and it gives me courage to give my best and to move forward.

Believing in God’s Word doesn’t mean being blind to reality.  For example, Paul knew that the situation was dire and that they would need to run aground on some island (v26).  But Paul also believed that God’s promise is greater than our circumstances, so he could still have hope in the midst of great uncertainty and difficulty.

God’s Word and courage go hand in hand.  In fact, over and over again in my life, I’ve found that the biggest reason, and sometimes the only reason, we can have courage to face a tough situation is God’s Word.

When you’re facing an uncertain future or tough circumstances beyond your control, you have a choice:  you can either panic and worry, or you can hang onto God’s Word and have hope.  If you want uncommon courage and hope, along with the ability to help others, hear the Word of God and hang onto it as your hope.  Because of God’s Word, we have good reason to keep up our courage and not lose it.

Finally, notice what Paul says in verse 23: “the God whose I am”.  When you’re going through a storm, it helps to remember not just who you are, but whose you are.  In other words, you belong to God.  When you know whose you are: In other words, you belong to God.  When you know whose you are:

  • you know who’s in control and who’s got your back;
  • you know who’s got your life in His hands;
  • you know who you’re living for and who defines your worth;
  • you won’t be as easily shaken when storms come;
  • you can rest easier knowing that God is watching over you, that He is faithful to complete the good work that He started in you and that He is using the storm you’re in to write a greater story with your life.

Christian hope is not pretending that the problem is not there.  Rather, it’s realizing that God is greater than your problem and that you belong to God.

Father, thank You so much for Your Word which gives me hope and courage to face this season.  Thank You that because of Your Word, I have good reason to keep up my courage rather than to lose it.  So I hang onto Your Word today, that You are with me, that You will protect me, and that You give me wisdom and everything I need for this season.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN!

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