5/4/25

Why was Paul and the people with him able to survive during the storm described in Acts 27? It was due to Paul’s relationship with God, God’s grace and because God had a plan for Paul’s life that no storm could prevent from coming into fruition. We do not really know what we truly believe until we go through a storm, a crisis, a disaster, or uncertainty. Coming through the storms can and will deepen our faith and dependence on God. It depends on how we respond to God. Paul did not blame God for the storm. He did not question God about why this had to happen on his way to Rome. He provided words of encouragement, and he spoke God’s promise of safety to the others on the ship. 

The angel of the Lord made it clear that those men’s lives were spared due to God’s grace that he extended to his servant Paul. Those men received God’s grace because they were sailing with Paul; they were in Paul’s company. The company that we keep matters, and who we believe matters. Paul said that he would believe things would happen just as he was told. Those men did not deserve God’s grace, even as we do not deserve God’s grace. God’s grace is a gift, and He extends that grace to those he loves.

Paul serves as a role model and as an encouragement to anyone who has or who is experiencing a storm. Those men’s lives were spared by God through His precious grace upon Paul’s life. God could have allowed everyone on that ship to perish, and still brought Paul to Rome safe and sound. Paul’s connection with God was so strong that he had the eyes to see and the ears to hear from the angel of the Lord, “. . . 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” (Acts 27: 24, NIV). So, because of the relationship that Paul had with God, Paul was able to see and hear God beyond the physical realm, beyond the hurricane, beyond the fierce winds, beyond the chaos, and destruction that was taking place on that ship. Further, Paul was able to minister to these men. “Be of good courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me” (vs. 25).  

We must have our own personal relationship with God. We cannot depend on the faith of others to get us through tough obstacles; however, it is powerful to have other believers who are willing to intercede on our behalf through prayer when we call upon them.

How is God encouraging you during times of uncertainty? Can you see and hear God beyond the tough circumstances? Do you trust in God when the situation appears to be disastrous and out of your control?

2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV), “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”