Shipwrecked or Rescued?
Prolonged suffering is nobody’s desire. Nobody wants to be endure dark, cold, painful suffering. Nobody wants to be shipwrecked, we all want to be rescued. But what if the shipwreck is our rescue? Paul’s arrival in Malta ends weeks of suffering, but it also testifies to God’s grace and power. 275 people were given a once in a lifetime opportunity to know God and His goodness. That’s something far more valuable than a ship, it’s cargo and even the mortal lives of those on board. God can use shipwrecks to rescue us.
Scripture
Acts 27:27-44 ESV When the fourteenth night had come, as we were being driven across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land. [28] So they took a sounding and found twenty fathoms. A little farther on they took a sounding again and found fifteen fathoms. [29] And fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come. [30] And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, and had lowered the ship's boat into the sea under pretense of laying out anchors from the bow, [31] Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” [32] Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship's boat and let it go. [33] As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. [34] Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.” [35] And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. [36] Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves. [37] (We were in all 276 persons in the ship.) [38] And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea. [39] Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore. [40] So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach. [41] But striking a reef, they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf. [42] The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. [43] But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, [44] and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.
Through the Scripture
Two weeks and 800km of dark storms
Two weeks after taking the quick and easy way, the popular decision, the ship has been driven 800km in cold, dark, stormy water - it seems land is finally in reach. But land doesn’t just mean rescue, it could mean wreck. The sailors let down anchors, did what they could, and then prayed that they would survive until dawn. Paul was right they had all made a terrible call, would they face the loss of the cargo, the ship and their lives as Paul had warned? Have you been in a situation like this, praying for hope, for dawn, knowing that your decisions led you here?
Acts 27:27-29 ESV When the fourteenth night had come, as we were being driven across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land. [28] So they took a sounding and found twenty fathoms. A little farther on they took a sounding again and found fifteen fathoms. [29] And fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come.
Romans 5:6-8 ESV For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. [7] For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— [8] but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Betrayal and abandonment
The sailors were the ones who had the knowledge, experience and strength to land the ship, but they rated their chances of surviving by abandoning everyone and saving their own lives by escaping on the life boat. When days are dark, friends are few. Have you been betrayed or abandoned by those you hoped would save you? Paul could have been quiet here and trusted in God, but he knew he had to speak up to save everyone, including the sailors.
Acts 27:30-32 ESV And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, and had lowered the ship's boat into the sea under pretence of laying out anchors from the bow, [31] Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” [32] Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship's boat and let it go.
Proverbs 31:8-9 ESV Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. [9] Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Paul encouraging and caring for everyone
In contrast to the sailors, who were looking out for themselves alone, Paul realised that everyone, sailors, soldiers and prisoners needed encouragement for one last push. The end was in sight, but it was also the most dangerous time. When things reach their peak, our witness is most powerful. Can we stay calm, keep trusting God and keep caring for each other in these moments? If we can our testimony grows in power.
Acts 27:33-37 ESV As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. [34] Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.” [35] And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat.
2 Corinthians 5:14-16 ESV For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; [15] and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. [16] From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.
Material loss in perspective
It takes some pretty dark and dangerous situations to give us perspective over what really matters. Despite all the suffering of the last fortnight, they’ve hung onto the material wealth, the cargo. It must have been substantial, and someone would have to answer to it’s loss. But eventually they realised it wasn’t worth their lives and got rid of it to increase their chances of making the beach. Have you ever got to this place, where you realise what’s really important?
Acts 27:36-38 ESV Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves. [37] (We were in all 276 persons in the ship.) [38] And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.
Matthew 16:26 ESV For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?
Hope dawns, prayers answered
God graciously answered the pagan sailors prayers. They did get to see another day. They were lost and without the hope of a harbour, just as Paul predicted they would have to run aground on “some island”. Sometimes it’s really hard to push the last few meters when you suffered for so many miles, especially when the stakes and risks are high. How much hope do you think Paul’s words and promise of God’s rescue do you think they all clinged to?
Acts 27:39-40 ESV Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore. [40] So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach.
Hebrews 10:23 ESV Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
Joshua 21:45 ESV Not one word of all the good promises that the LORD had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.
Nothing seems to go right even when it seems to be going right
It’s darkest just before dawn. Sometimes the worst fear lies just before the door to freedom. Their high hopes for a safe beaching were dashed by a shallow reef, like the ship itself was being broken apart by the waves. Again God’s protection is evident as the prisoners narrowly escape execution by frightened soldiers who, like the sailors, want to save their own skin.
Acts 27:41-43 ESV But striking a reef, they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf. [42] The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. [43] But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land,
Psalms 27:10-14 ESV For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the LORD will take me in. [11] Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. [12] Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence. [13] I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! [14] Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!
God’s faithful Word is proven again
The final verse is short, as would have been the time that they all took to get to land. It’s amazing how quickly the rescue happened after such a prolonged ordeal. But the rescue was always going to happen, because God said so, and because Paul needed to testify. Here to these 275 people and to Caesar and all his powerful people in Rome. God doesn’t fail. We need to keep testifying with our words and lives just like Paul did.
Acts 27:44 ESV and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.
Lamentations 3:18-25 ESV so I say, “My endurance has perished; so has my hope from the LORD.” [19] Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall! [20] My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me. [21] But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: [22] The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; [23] they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. [24] “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” [25] The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.