THURSDAY March 7, 2024
Making for Shore
When it was day, they did not recognize the land; but they observed a bay with a beach, onto which they planned to run the ship if possible. And they let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore. But striking a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves.
Acts 27:39-41
The sea-weary men were somewhat disoriented, as they looked out from the wave-battered ship toward the shore. They finally recognized a bay with a beach. The decision was made to try to get the ship as close to the shore as possible. Then they could safely swim to the beach. They went for it––the main sail was hoisted, it caught the wind, and they sailed for the sandy shore.
Suddenly, tragedy struck––the ship became lodged on the dangerous reefs. The turmoil of opposing seas crushed the stern of the immovable ship, breaking it apart. The only course of action left to the men was to jump ship.
The Roman soldiers reacted. They knew what was expected of them: ...the soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape (Acts 27:42). But once more, God showed He was in control. Julius, the Roman centurion, wanted to keep Paul alive, so he ordered the men to stand down. He kept them from killing the prisoners:
But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land (Acts 27:43-44).
God is faithful to His Word! They all made it to land! They either swam or held on to whatever they could find––boards or parts of the ship.
God is the God of the waves and the billows, and they are still His when they come over us; and again and again we have proved that the overwhelming thing does not overwhelm. Once more by His interposition deliverance came. We were cast down, but not destroyed.
~Amy Carmichael~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
