Acts 27 is a rollercoaster narration of Paul’s ship journey to Rome, where he was to be tried under Caesar. As a prisoner for the sake of gospel, Paul was handed over to Julius, the Centurion and together with other prisoners, they began sailing.
Here are 5 lessons we can learn from Paul and the shipwreck:
1. Men, I can see
As the ship begins to sail from Fair Havens, Paul warns the people saying, “Men, I can SEE a disastrous voyage ahead.” (Acts 27:10).
Every born again believer has the Holy Spirit who empowers him to see what others cannot see! Paul could perceive things of the future in the spirit, which others could not.
You and I have free access to God, and all that belongs to Him (wisdom, healing, supernatural gifts etc) through Jesus!
You do not lack ANY spiritual gift ( 1 Corinthians 1:7). You are different from the world! Therefore be bold in walking in your gifting and excelling in it (and not just on Sundays), and God will use it to make an impact on nations for His glory.
2. Get out of your comfort zone
Paul was a teacher of the law, a Bible scholar, writer, well versed in languages. But here we see him giving a bang on counsel to the captain and the owner of the ship.
Paul and ‘nautical science’? This has to be God!
He loves to use vessels that are dependent on Him and not on their knowledge, talent or expertise. That’s why we need to be ready to move out of our comfort zones.
Let’s humble ourselves and be open to be used by God, the way He wants and not the way we think He should. After all He is not looking for perfection, but surrender!
3. Who are you listening to?
The most costly mistake we can make in life is listening to the wrong source. When Paul gave the above advise to the captain of the ship and the owner, the centurion preferred to listen to them rather than Paul (Acts 27:11). And majority went with the centurion. They chose experience and expertise over Holy Spirit! And the result was a disaster.
I can almost hear Paul saying, “You may be the captain of this ship, but I have access to the Captain of the universe and even the winds and waves obey Him!”.
The deciding factor in our lives has to be the Word of God. Period. Not experience, not talent, not majority, not man!
4. Discouragement is a choice
When the ship received a violent battering from the storm, and when neither the sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued to rage, the people on the ship gave up all hope of being saved. (Acts 27:18-20). To think of it, it was Paul, more than anyone else who had every reason to be discouraged – he had seen things beforehand, and yet his advice was rejected. But Paul stood up and urged everyone to keep courage.
When storms of life engulf you and things are not happening the way they should, don’t give up. Sometimes you may be walking in the will of God and yet you may not be seeing the desired results. But don’t go by what you see. Don’t get discouraged. Keep your faith.
At the end of this chapter and in the beginning of the next, we see how God saves Paul and all those with him on the ship. Further, God uses Paul mightily on the island of Malta to heal all those who were sick. Wow! All things work together for the good for those who love God and who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
Some of us begin our Christian walk well, but somewhere down the line, we get discouraged, we get bitter, we get lukewarm. But it doesn’t matter how well you began your journey with Jesus, but how well you end it. The one who has called us is faithful, let’s not take our eyes off Him.
5. God is near to you every time you call!
Oh, if only we choose to fight our battles in prayer! Deuteronomy 4:7 – What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him?
The storm didn’t stop, but God made a way out! Paul called out to the living God and we see how fear in the ship got replaced by faith. God not only saved Paul, but not one of the 276 on board lost a single hair from their head. Remember Noah? He was found right in the eyes of God and because of Him, his wife, sons, daughter in laws and the entire animal planet got saved!
When we call out to God, He not only hears and answers us, but He also grants His favour that is on us to rub on those around us!
There are so many more things to learn from Acts 27. What other lessons can you share?